Heavy metal levels in cassava flour sold in Okura, Ejule and Ojapata of kogi state, Nigeria

Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major source of carbohydrate and a staple food cultivated in Nigeria especially in Kogi  State. Determination of heavy metals in cassava flour from major markets:(Okura ,Ejule and Ojapata) in Kogi East was done to ascertain the quality of cassava flour and its human exposure path.Lead, cadmium, iron and zinc contents were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).The results were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and  Independent Sample t-test. Zn concentration in Ejule (Control) was as low as 0.002±0.000a . Pd,Cd,Fe, and Zn screened were far below the WHO guideline values or permissible limit of metal in food.This implies that the metal toxicants present in the cassava flour is in such low concentrations that render the food non-toxic and edible.

Keywords: Heavy metals; pollution; cassava flour; human exposure.