Consumption of chocolate is common among Nigerian children who live in the cities. In spite of the palatability and nutritional significance of chocolate, it hardly exists without traces of heavy metal contamination. The study was carried out to evaluate the level of selected heavy metals in chocolate and their potential health impacts on children who consume the product on regular bases. Thirty (30) brands of chocolates including 26 milk and 4 dark chocolates were purchased and analyzed. Results showed that Ni ranged between 1.26 and 3.79 mgkg-1 while Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Fe had concentration range of 0.10-0.47, 2.3-6.26, 2.39-18.62, 8.89-25.62 and 21.92-71.85 mgkg-1 respectively. The total hazard quotient ranged between 0.06 – 0.25 for Ni while it ranged between 0.03-0.13, 0.03-0.09, 0.06-0.47, 0.0015-0.0042 and 0.029-0.10 for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Fe respectively. The correlation analysis and metal distribution pattern showed that the proportion of cocoa solid in chocolate determined the level of copper and zinc in the products. The low values of calculated target hazard quotient suggests the safety of the investigated chocolates with respect to heavy metal contamination.
Keywords: Heavy metal Contamination, Chocolates, Health implication, Southwest
PAPER TITLE :HEALTH RISK APPRAISAL OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN SOME IMPORTED CHOCOLATES SOLD IN SOUTHWESTERN, NIGERIA
FUTA JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE | VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 2017
Paper Details
- Author(s) : Aikpokpodion Paul E. and Asowata F.E
- Abstract:
