Evaluation of iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial foods formulated for healthy cats

2021 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2110262
Author(s):  
Stacie Summers ◽  
Jonathan Stockman ◽  
Jennifer A Larsen

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial foods and compare among food formats (dry, canned, raw), foods marketed by age category (adult 1+ years and senior 7+ years) and foods intended for adult maintenance vs all life stages. Methods In total, 112 commercial non-therapeutic food products marketed for healthy adult and senior cats were purchased in the USA. Foods were analyzed for their proximate composition. Trace mineral concentrations were measured using inductively coupled argon plasma–optical emission spectroscopy and described on a calculated metabolizable energy basis using standard modified Atwater values. Results Measured iron (median 58.4 mg/1000 kcal [range 15.7–379.0]), copper (median 5.6 mg/1000 kcal [range 0.8–13.3]) and zinc (median 47.6 mg/1000 kcal [range 7.6–128.1]) concentrations were highly variable among cat foods. When all food products – regardless of their nutritional adequacy substantiation method – were compared with the Association of American Feed Control Officials regulatory minimums, 13/112 food products had a mineral deficiency, of which a majority (n = 11/13) were raw food products. Raw foods had significantly lower trace mineral concentrations compared with dry food products and, except for copper, canned food products. Cat foods marketed for senior cats had higher iron ( P = 0.019) and zinc ( P <0.0001) concentrations than foods marketed for adult cats. Foods intended for adult maintenance had higher iron ( P = 0.003) and zinc concentrations than foods intended for all life stages ( P <0.0001). Conclusions and relevance Iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial non-therapeutic foods for adult and senior cats are highly variable. A minority of foods – mainly raw food products – were deficient in these minerals. It is unknown if some foods with high trace mineral concentrations could have adverse effects as studies are needed to establish safe upper limits for dietary intake of trace minerals in healthy cats.

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 01-21
Author(s):  
Alexander Hart ◽  
◽  
Oboh CA ◽  
Barimalaa IS ◽  
TG Sokari

Concentrations of the trace metals lead, iron, copper and zinc were estimated in crops harvested in some oil prospecting locations in Rivers State, Nigeria. The locations were; Agbada-Aluu (AA), Ebocha (EB), Idu Ekpeye (IE), Obagi (OB) and Trans Amadi Layout (TA), with the Teaching and Research Farm of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt as control. Crops investigated were cassava (Manihot esculenta), cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), okra (Hibiscus esculentus), pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) and waterleaf (Talinum traingulare). Results of the mean lead concentrations were from 1.1µg/g in cocoyam to 9.1 µg/g in okro, showing higher trends in the industrialized areas. While cocoyam had the lowest lead concentration, the concentration rest of the crops did not differ significantly from one another. Crops from locations TA, OB, IE and EB had significantly higher concentrations of lead, although IE, AA and TF were not significantly different from one another. Mean concentrations of iron were between 40 µg/g in cassava from TF, and 651 µg/g in pumpkin leaves from TA - the industrial base of Rivers State - reflecting a high level of pollution from the various industries in that location. Differences in concentration of iron in crops showed pumpkin leaves to have the highest level of iron, followed by the other green vegetables – waterleaf and okra - although no significant differences occurred between okra, cocoyam and cassava. Copper concentrations were between 4.4 µg/g in cocoyam from locations TF and 23 µg/g in pumpkin leaves from TA. Pumpkin leaves had the highest concentrations of copper, followed by okra, then waterleaf, with cocoyam and cassava having the least significant levels. Zinc concentrations in crops were between 29 µg/g in cocoyam from TF to 240 µg/g in pumpkin leaves from EB. Pumpkin leaves and okra contained the highest levels of the metal, followed by waterleaf, then cassava and finally cocoyam. In terms of location, TA, OB and EB had the highest concentrations in crops, the least occurring in TF and AA. These results reflect higher concentrations of metals in crops from the industrialized locations, with the green vegetables, particularly pumpkin leaves, having the highest uptake, while cocoyam invariably had the least. These findings give cause for concern, particularly as heavy metals are bio-accumulative in the system and portend a serious health risk to man and animals.


1988 ◽  
Vol 177 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.I. Aruoma ◽  
T. Reilly ◽  
D. MacLaren ◽  
B. Halliwell

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 396-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia C. Schultheiss ◽  
Cathy L. Bedwell ◽  
Dwayne W. Hamar ◽  
Martin J. Fettman

Concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc were measured in livers of 95 dogs that were suspected of having liver disease. Iron concentrations ranged from 177 to 7,680 ppm (dry weight basis); 54 dogs had iron concentrations greater than the normal concentration of 1,200 ppm. Iron stores were present in Kupffer cells and macrophages but not hepatocytes. The dogs did not have lesions of hemochromatosis. Dogs with high liver iron tended to have high liver copper and inflammatory lesions. High liver copper concentrations usually were associated with hepatocellular necrosis and fibrosis. High liver zinc was found in only 5 animals and was accompanied by histologic inflammatory lesions in one. In humans, increased iron concentration in the liver exacerbates liver damage caused by a variety of insults, and the same may be true for dogs.


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