Concentration Of Trace Metals In The Fresh And Fried Edible Vegetable Oils Used In The Production Of Plantain Chips In Ekiti State: Health Implications

Abstract

Seven selected heavy metals namely Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd and Ni in five vegetable oils used in frying plantains (fresh and fried) collected from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) after microwave digestion. The accuracy of procedure was confirmed by certified reference materials (NIST). The relative standard deviations were found below 10%. In all the various oils (fresh and processed), the concentrations for Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd and Ni were observed in the range of 0.0005 -0.0018, 0.0002 – 0.0009, 0.0004 – 0.0021, 0.0001- 0.0007, 0.0003 – 0.0016, 0.0001 – 0.006 and 0.0002-0.0010 mg/kg, respectively. In general, among all the oils, fresh palm oil (FPO had the highest concentration) for all the selected heavy metals. Comparing with safety intake levels for these heavy metals recommended by Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM), US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the dietary intakes of the seven heavy metals from daily consumption of edible vegetable oils for a 70 kg (adult) and 24 kg (children) body weight should pose no significant health risk to consumers. However, for adults and children, the THQ and HI were low. The TCR values also indicate low to moderate carcinogenic risks for adults and children.