Levels of Lambda-Cyhalothrin and polychlorinated biphenyls residues in some herbal remedies from Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the presence and concentration of chloride, phosphate, lambda-cyhalothrin and polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method to discern contamination of selected herbal remedies. Sampling was carefully carried out in Northwest Nigeria. The chloride and the phosphate were found to be in the concentration ranges of non-detected –141.8mg/kg and 4.6 – 40.2mg/kg, respectively. The congeners 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl were not detected in any sample while the highest concentration of the PCBs was recorded for 2,3,3',4,4',5- hexachlorobiphenyl in one sample. Other three congeners were detected at varied concentrations in different percentages of the samples. The pesticide lambda cyhalothrin was not detected in any sample.

Keywords: Herbs, contamination, polychlorinated biphenyls, lambda-cyhalothrin, concentration