Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in porcine and bovine organs and tissues

Abstract

Concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in porcine and bovine kidney, liver, lung, muscle and adipose tissue samples, and in eyeballs (lens and vitreous humour) in fattener pigs and cows. The total average PAH concentrations in individual organs were: 5.4, 6.3 (kidney); 3.8, 2.7 (liver); 4.6, 5.4 (lung); 3.6, 5.1 (muscle tissue); 0.05, 0.11 (adipose tissue); 57.9, 16.3 (lens) and 14, 6.4 (vitreous humour) for pigs and cows in ng/g of wet weight, respectively. Phenanthrene, naphthalene, pyrene and fluoranthene were predominant PAH present in samples. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found among distribution of PAH in animal bodies from several localities with various PAH exposure or between their levels in porcine and bovine organs and tissues, except for eyeballs. On the contrary, significant variations of PAH concentrations (P < 0.01) were found between species in the same tissues from the same stable. The highest total concentrations of PAH were found in porcine and bovine lenses. Analyses of porcine and/or bovine lenses for PAH content could be used for determination of animal exposure to these compounds.