Abstract

EVALUATION AND HEALTH RISK OF TOXIC METALS IN A PROCESSED AFRICAN PALM WEEVIL (RHYNCHOPHORUS PHOENICIS) COMMONLY CONSUMED IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA

*Markmanuel D. P. and Markbere O. B.

ABSTRACT

Culinary methods such as boiling and frying and health risk evaluation over the concentrations of Pb, As, Cd, Cr and Ni in R. phoenicis larvae were investigated. The concentrations of the metals were determined by Thermal-Elemental Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS), S4-71096. The culinary methods resulted in a significant increase in the concentrations of the metals studied except for Cd that reduction was observed in the boiled sample with no significant difference (p 0.05). The mean concentrations of the metals in this study were higher than the permissible standard values of FAO/WHO and IAEA. Generally, the results showed a decreased order of Ni Pb Cr As Cd concentrations in the larvae. The culinary methods were in the order of fried boiled raw for Ni, Pb, Cr and As while, Cd were fried raw boiled. The estimated dietary intake were below the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) of the metals set by regularly bodies. The non-carcinogenic risk evaluations were also 1 which indicate no health concern at the moment. However, the data obtained from carcinogenic risk evaluation showed that, Ni will pose cancer risk to consumers. Therefore, moderate intake of R. phoenicis larvae is advisable in order to avoid health risk in future.

Keywords: Toxic metals, African Palm Weevil, Culinary Methods, Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic.