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Relationship between soil cobalt and vitamin B12 levels in the liver of livestock in Saudi Arabia: role of competing elements in soils


EA Huwait
TA Kumosani
SS Moselhy
RM Mosaoa
SS Yaghmoor

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the agricultural soils from different regions in Saudi Arabia for cobalt and related metals as Cu2+, Ni2+,Cr3++, Zn2+ and Pb2+.
Materlais and methods: Liver and muscle tissues of livestock grazing on the selected areas were  analyzed for the content of Co and vitamin B12.
Results: Our results indicated that the levels of Co in surface soil (0-15 cm) were higher than in  sub-surface soil (>15 cm- 45 cm). In contrast, Pb and Zn were higher in sub-surface soil than in surface  soil. A significant positive correlation existed between the levels of Co and vitamin B12 in the liver of livestock. However, Co was not detected in muscle tissues while vitamin B12 was present at very low levels in comparison with the  levels found in the liver. The results indicated that Zn2+, Pb2+ compete with Co in soil, which eventually affected the levels of vitamin B12 in liver.
Conclusion: It was recommended that survey of heavy metals in grazing fields of cattle should consider inclusion of multiple elements that compete with the bioavailability of essential elements in plants and animals for the prevention of deficiency of essential elements such as Co.


Keywords: Soil, vitamin B12, cobalt, cattle, uptake, transfer


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905