Autori: Ducu Sandu Stef, Iosif Gergen

Editorial: Chemistry Central Journal , 6:19, 2012.

Rezumat:

Background
The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of different medicinal herbs rich in
polyphenol (Lemon balm, Sage, St. John’s wort and Small-flowered Willowherb) used as
dietary supplements on bioaccumulation of some essential metals (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) in
different chicken meats (liver, legs and breast).
Results
In different type of chicken meats (liver, legs and breast) from chickens fed with diets
enriched in minerals and medicinal herbs, beneficial metals (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were
analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Fe is the predominant metal in liver and
Zn is the predominant metal in legs and breast chicken meats. The addition of metal salts in
the feed influences the accumulations of all metals in the liver, legs and breast chicken meat
with specific difference to the type of metal and meat. The greatest influences were observed
in legs meat for Fe and Mn. Under the influence of polyphenol-rich medicinal herbs,
accumulation of metals in the liver, legs and breast chicken meat presents specific differences
for each medicinal herb, to the control group that received a diet supplemented with metal
salts only. Great influence on all metal accumulation factors was observed in diet enriched
with sage, which had significantly positive effect for all type of chicken meats.
Conclusions
Under the influence of medicinal herbs rich in different type of polyphenol, accumulation of
metals in the liver, legs and breast chicken meat presents significant differences from the
group that received a diet supplemented only with metal salts. Each medicinal herb from diet
had a specific influence on the accumulation of metals and generally moderate or poor
correlations were observed between total phenols and accumulation of metals. This may be
due to antagonism between metal ions and presence of other chelating agents (amino acids
and protein) from feeding diets which can act as competitor for complexation of metals and
influence accumulation of metals in chicken meat.

Cuvinte cheie: heavy metals, chicken meat, medicinal plants

URL: doi:10.1186/1752-153X-6-19