Safety Considerations of Trace Metals in Locally Produced Nutritive Food-Drinks Consumed in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study assessed the safety of trace metal concentrations in locally produced nutritive food-drinks consumed in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Three different drink types (viz, tiger nut juice, a mixture of tiger nut and soya bean juice and soya bean juice) were purchased from various locations in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, between January and February 2024. Thirty samples were analyzed for trace metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Detected metal concentrations ranged from 0.077 to 0.458 mg/L for iron, 0.159 to 1.251 mg/L for copper, 0.000 to 0.070 mg/L for zinc, 0.000 to 0.080 mg/L for cadmium, and 0.000 to 0.068 mg/L for manganese. Three (zinc, manganese, and copper) of the five detected metals had concentrations below the World Health Organization (WHO) and/or Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) permissible limits using drinking water guidelines. Pearson correlation analysis indicated diverse metal sources, while principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant variance driven by essential and trace metals. At the same time, crucial metals like zinc and iron dominate, and the presence of cadmium raises health concerns. The results suggest that while iron, zinc, and manganese generally pose minimal health risks, elevated copper and cadmium levels present potential non-carcinogenic risks in some samples. Hazard Index (HI) values (0.673-5.349) highlight the need for regulatory attention due to the cumulative effects of multiple trace metals. Although the calculated cancer risk (CR) values suggest no significant carcinogenic threat, continuous monitoring and mitigation are crucial, particularly for vulnerable populations who may experience prolonged exposure.