IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES (IJCCP )

E-I SSN 2545-5265
P- ISSN 2695-1916
VOL. 10 NO. 2 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijccp.v10.no2.2024.pg14.25

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Heavy Metals Content and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Present in Selected Infant Milk Formulae and Cereals Sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Akuru, Udiomine B . and Nwachoko, Ndidi

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Abstract

Excessive exposure to contaminants like heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in infant formulae and cereal consumption can have harmful effects on the human health. This work investigated five infant-milk formulae ( AA, BB, CC, DD and EE) and five cereals ( NN, CL, NM, NC and FF) sold in Port Harcourt, analysing them for heavy metals and PAHs. Heavy metals in the samples were analysed using absorption spectroscopy, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was used for the PAHs. The concentration of iron, arsenic, lead and chromium found in infant-milk formulae ranged from 5.35-16.51, 0.02-0.79, 0.01-0.21, 0.02-0.30mg/kg respectively. For infant cereals, concentrations were in the ranges of 2.43-64.52, 001-2.42, BDL-0.21, 0.04-2.40mg/kg for Fe, As, Pb and Cr respectively. Cadmium level was below detectable limit except for sample DD (0.02 mg/kg) and FF (0.94mg/kg) for infant-milk formulae and cereal respectively. PAH levels in infant-milk formulae were mostly below detectable limit except for dibenz(a,h)anthracene (0.01mg/kg) in samples AA, BB and CC. Sample DD and EE showed varied concentrations with pyrene (2.31±0.00mg/kg) and Indeno(1,2,3-cd) pyrene (12.48±0.35mg/kg) having the highest values in DD and EE respectively. Cereals NN and CL had no detectable PAHs, while NM, NC and from 0.00-1.66, 0.00-2.73 and 0.00-2.70mg/kg FF showed concentrations ranging respectively. The study suggests that some of the samples (AA, BB, CC, NN and CL) are safe for infant consumption, while others may need further investigation and monitoring to avoid heavy metals and PAHs contamination.

keywords:

PAHs, Heavy Metals, Infant Formula, Cereals

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References:

Abbaspour N., Hurrell R., & Kelishadi R. (2014). Review on iron and its importance for human
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Ademoroti, C.M.A. (2009). Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology, 1st Edition. Ibadan:
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Akpe M. A., Ubua P.U & Ivara S. E. (2021). Health risk evaluation of selected heavy metals
in infant nutrition formula in Cross River State Nigeria. Journal of appl Sci Environ
manage 25(3): 419-423

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