Levels of Heavy Metals and Their Risk Assessment in Kolanuts (Cola nitida Schott & Amp; Endl.) Collected from Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa
Kouadio Rodrigue
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Science, Training and Research Unit of Biosciences, Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Deigna-Mockey Viviane
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Science, Training and Research Unit of Biosciences, Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Ake Assi
Department of Animal Production and Fish Resources, Central Laboratory for Food Hygiene and Agro-Industry Lanada, 04 P.O. Box 612, Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nyamien Yves
Institute of Agropastoral Management, Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University, P.O Box 1328, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
Coulibaly Adama
Training and Research Unit of Biological Sciences, Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University, P.O. Box 1328, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
Sidibe Daouda
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Science, Training and Research Unit of Biosciences, Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Biego Henri
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Science, Training and Research Unit of Biosciences, Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Kolanut represents a significant economic interest for this country as well as many African households and public authorities. Despite its obvious importance, the sector of the kolanut is facing a delicate sanitary quality of the marketed product. The majority of the production (90%) of kola is consumed daily fresh by people and could cause a serious health problem for consumers if the toxicity due to heavy metals were proven.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the heavy metals levels in kolanuts and estimate the risks of nuts consumption on population health in Côte d'Ivoire.
Study Design: Samples were collected from farmers, rural collectors, urban stores in districts (Mountains, Comoe, Lagoons, Down-Sassandra) and big storage centers of Anyama and Bouake.
Methodology: Concentrations of 3 heavy metals were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The analysis of lead and cadmium was performed in flame mode (Air / nitrogen), with an AAS type VARIAN SPECTRAA 110 provided the furnace GTA 110. While, the analysis of mercury was carried out in hydride mode with a SAA system equipped with a vaporization unit (VGA 77).
Results: Results showed the presence of the 3 heavy metals in kolanuts samples, with concentrations ranging from 5.37 μg/kg to 11.21 μg/kg, 17.49 μg/kg to 51.01 μg/kg and 19.99 μg/kg to 40.35 μg/kg for lead, cadmium and mercury, respectively. Based on the concentrations and the daily consumption of kolanuts estimated at 0.6 g/person in Côte d'Ivoire, the intakes values estimated by heavy metals were 4.8.10-3 ± 4.9.10-4 µg/j, 1.3.10-2 ± 9.07.10-4 µg/j and 1.7.10-2 ± 1.99.10-3 µg/j for lead, cadmium and mercury, respectively. The exposure daily doses (EDD) are all lower than the toxicological reference values. Thus, the occurrence of a toxic effect from Pb (HQ = 1.94.10 -5 <1), Cd (HQ = 1.9.10 -4 <1) and Hg (HQ = 3.4.10 -4 < 1) after Kolanuts consumption is very unlikely since the HQ are all less than 1.
Conclusion: Consumption of kolanuts from Côte d’Ivoire would not present any health risk for the consumer.
Keywords: Cola nitida, heavy metals, cadmium, lead, mercury, Intake, consumption, Côte d’Ivoire.