MYCOTOXINS AND HEAVY METAL RESIDUES IN DUCK MEAT AND GIBLETS: A REVIEW

Duck meat and giblets, such as liver and gizzard, are major sources of animal-based protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. Duck meat and giblets, on the other hand, may contain some chemical contaminants, including mycotoxins and heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi. There are more than 400 mycotoxins worldwide, and their levels in food and animal feed often exceed safe limits, posing serious risks to both animals and humans. At the same time, as modern industrial agriculture expands, it causes significant environmental pollution, including higher levels of heavy metals. The clinical signs of chronic heavy metal poisoning at low to medium levels are often not very clear, which can make it harder to get treatment quickly. Moreover, conventional detoxification techniques do not completely alleviate the adverse effects of these toxins on the body and may even cause further side effects. This review spot the light on the presence of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, and heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, in duck meat and giblets. Additionally, the potential adverse effects associated with consuming contaminated duck meat and giblets were reviewed.