Heavy Metals Contaminants in Honey and Dry-Cured Meat Sold in Northern Nigeria Markets

Authors

  • Anjorin Toba Samuel Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9007-7364
  • Fagbohun Adebisi Akinyemi Chemistry Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Sheda, Abuja, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8532-368X
  • Sunday Adebayo Kolawole Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9234-5860
  • James Terna Ngor Bioresources Development Centre, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Umar Musa Yar'Adua Expressway, Lugbe, Abuja, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37256/fse.5120243612

Keywords:

food safety, toxic element, Atomic absorption spectrometry, occurrence, contaminant, Nigeria

Abstract

Honey and dry-cured meat are common products for consumption and export in Nigeria but with a paucity of reports on their chemical contamination status. The occurrence of heavy metal residue in honey and dry-cured meat (Kilishi) for export in Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria and their safety status were investigated. The toxic metals profile in ninety samples of each animal product was established by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS, M5 Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). The mean prevalence of Copper (Cu) in the honey samples from Kano Central was statistically higher than from other locations. Cadmium (Cd) contaminants occurred in the products at a range of 0.001-0.041 mg kg-1. Lead (Pb) and Cobalt (Co) were below detectable levels in all the samples. Due to the relatively high profile of Cu in both products, Cr in honey and Cd in the dry-cured meat, which was slightly higher than the permissible level in humans by the World Health Organization, there is a health risk concern. The Nigerian regulatory entities should always routinely monitor and enforce the set legislative laws to ensure a safe animal product for local consumption or export in Nigeria.

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Published

2024-02-29

How to Cite

1.
Samuel AT, Akinyemi FA, Kolawole SA, Ngor JT. Heavy Metals Contaminants in Honey and Dry-Cured Meat Sold in Northern Nigeria Markets. Food Science and Engineering [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 29 [cited 2024 Dec. 27];5(1):99-111. Available from: https://ojs.wiserpub.com/index.php/FSE/article/view/3612