Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Microbial Safety and Heavy Metal Profile of Smoke-Dried Grass Cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Meat

Food safety is a global phenomenon. The public has become more concerned about the risks from food hazards in recent years. This study was carried out to evaluate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profiles, microbial safety and heavy metal concentrations of smoke-dried grass cutter meat samples purchased from different processing and marketing centers in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 60 smoke-dried grass cutter meat samples were randomly collected between February and April, 2019. Smoke-dried grass cutter meat samples purchased from different processing and marketing centers were analyzed to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profile, microbial safety and heavy metal concentrations. The results revealed existence of significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profile, microbial safety and heavy metal concentrations of smoke-dried grass cutter meat samples purchased from different processing and marketing centers. The concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs, acenaphthene (Acy), fluorine (Fln), 1,2-Benzanthracene (1,2-BAnt), phenanthrene, pyrene (Pyr), anthracene (Ant), fluoranthene (Flan), benzo[a]anthracene (B[a]A), chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]FA), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), benzo[ghi]perylene (B[ghi]P) and indeno[1,2,3-cd]anthracene (ID[1,2,3-cd]A) in smoke-dried grass cutter meat samples from different processing and marketing centers exceeded the maximum limit of 2 μgkg−1 of B[a]P in meat products approved by European Commission regulations (EU) No. 1881/2006 and 835/2011. In this study, Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni were detected in all the samples analyzed. In all cases, the presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni suggests poor manufacturing practices and fecal contamination of the products as Salmonella paratyphi and Escherichia coli serve as indicator organisms for fecal contamination of foods. The values of the heavy metals obtained in the study were generally below the maximum acceptable limits set by World Health Organization for Pb (0.3 ppm), Hg (0.2 ppm), As (0.2 ppm), Cd (0.2 ppm) and Cr (0.5 ppm) and hence pose no risk to consumers.