| Abstract： |
Home-grown cage-free chickens were collected from two residents' backyards around the Shimen Realgar Mine, Hunan province, China, which were then analysed for arsenic (As) concentrations and its species in various organs/tissues. The total As concentrations (dry weight) are in the range as, muscle (0.82-1.23), feathers (7.05-15.80), liver (1.35-1.63), heart (1.17-1.72), stomach (1.83-3.28), stomach skin (1.99-10.58), gastric contents (12.99-20.12) and eggs (0.73-0.88) mg/kg. Dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) is the predominant As compounds determined by HPLC-ICP-MS, accounting for 76-100% of the extractable total As species in muscle, stomach, liver, heart and eggs of chicken from both backyards. Inorganic As was the main As species (23-82%) in stomach skin, gastric contents and feathers. Besides, AsB and an unknown As compounds were detected in most of the samples, although in relatively low proportions (<13.90%). Further analysis of the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) provides additional information about the non-extractable and unidentified As form such as As(III)-tris-glutathione (As(III)-GSH). The estimated daily intake of As is acceptable, the corresponding hazard quotient values indicate that consumption of the chicken from the realgar mine may pose little health risks to consumers. |
