Analyses of physicochemical characteristics and heavy metals risk assessment in locally processed salt and refined iodized salt brand consumed in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Salt water lakes from Uburu and Okposi Okwu communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria are processed locally to yield table edible salt for cooking of food and as preservative. The pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, nitrates, phosphate sulphat, sodium, chloride and heavy metals of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cyanide (CN) and copper (Cu) concentrations in Uburu and Okposi Okwu locally processed salt and refined iodized salt brand were measured using standard analytical procedures so as to compare the concentrations and estimate the possible risk assessment. Results showed alkaline pH concentrations for the three salt brands. The data for TDS were 342.33±70.43 mg g^-1, 301.0±65.40 mg g^-1, 344.17±15.43 mg g^-1, and EC were 684.67±140.86 µS/cm, 601.20±129.73 µS/cm, 685.0±132.02 µS/cm respectively. Phosphate concentrations for refined iodized salt brand (1.37±0.263 mg g^-1) was found higher than the results obtained in Uburu salt brand (0.16±0.15 mg g^-1) and Okposi Okwu salt brand (0.15±0.10 mg g^-1). Concentration of Cu in Uburu salt (0.25±0.13 mg g^-1) and Okposi Okwu salt brand (0.38±0.21 mg g^-1) were higher than the result obtained in refined iodized salt brand (0.15±0.03 mg g^-1). Furthermore, refined iodized salt brand recorded more sodium and chloride ions (Na and Cl ions) than Uburu and Okposi Okwu salt. Na and Cl ions were found remarkably higher than the entire parameters measured for the three salt brands which were expected. The study recommends the development of local safety standards by the concerned agencies/Organization in Nigeria.