Chemical composition and toxicological risk assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in a commercially available alcoholic bitters

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the Chemical composition and Toxicological Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in a commercially available Alcoholic Bitters. Samples of Confam bitters were purchased and transported to the laboratory for analysis using the standard method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and the toxicological risk assessment was estimated using predictive modelling of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The result obtained indicates that the bitters contain compounds such as Bactobolin (2.02%), 3-Methoxyamphetamine (1.10%), Propanamide (3.04%), Methylpent-4- enylamine (1.10%), Diisopropyl phthalate (35.62%), N, N'-Bis (3-aminopropyl) ethylenediamine (1.95%), Didodecyl phthalate (2.29%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (8.17%), Metaraminol (2.98%), Methyl octadec- 11-enoate (4.53%), Linoelaidic acid (8.70%), Octadecanoic acid (3.30%) and Octadecyl prop-1-en-2-yl carbonate (1.45%). The result also indicates that the concentration of Zn (1.26 mg/l), Cu (0.22 mg/l) and Ni (90.16 mg/l) were within the WHO (2011) standard (3.00, 2.00 and 0.02 mg/l) respectively, while Pb (0.03 mg/l), Cd (0.005 mg/l), Mn (3.85 mg/l) and Cr (0.66 mg/l) were higher than the WHO (2011) standard (0.01, 0.003, 0.05 and 0.05 mg/l) respectively. Toxicological risk assessment revealed that the children population is more susceptible to PTE exposure in the bitters. Therefore, disapproving children exposure to the bitters. Furthermore, Mn and Zn were the most dosed PTEs of exposure. Hazard Quotient (HQ) revealed that the values for the PTEs are less than 1, while carcinogenic risk values are less than 1 × 10^–6, suggesting a nonsignificant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk respectively for the human population. In conclusion, the alcoholic bitter contains compounds of excellent pharmacological effects, a potentially hazardous compound and high concentrations of some PTEs of public health concern, more so other brand of bitters should be monitored.