ANALYSIS OF TRACE-ELEMENTS OF SOME EDIBLE TREMATODES PARASITIZING THEBOVINE HOSTS

With the aid of atomic absorption spectrophotometer a qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace element composition of some edible trem atode parasites namely, Gastrothylax crumenifer, Fischoederius elongat us, F. cobboldi, Calicophoron calicophorum, Orthocoelium orthocoelium and Paramphistomum epiclitum revealed the occurrence of Cu, Ca, Mg, Mn , Pb, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, K, Se and Co in all the studied species, wit h K showing the highest concentration and Co the lowest in dry weight of the flukes. Further, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cr and Se were found to be higher in immature and Cu, Mg, Mn, Cd, K and Co were more in mature G. crumen ifer and F. elongatus.