Assessment of potential heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and phenolic compounds in commonly sold plantains in selected locations in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

R. M. Ayila; G. C. Onwugbuta; M. O. Onyema

doi:10.5281/zenodo.14228201

R. M. Ayila Department of Biochemistry/Chemistry Technology, School of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
G. C. Onwugbuta Department of Biochemistry/Chemistry Technology, School of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
M. O. Onyema Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14228201

Keywords: Assessment, Organic, Inorganic, Phenolic, Plantain

Abstract

Humans are constantly exposed to pollutants through various pathways including food chain, skin contact, and inhalation. These pollutants, both organic and inorganic pose considerable health risks and concerns to humans. The present study was set out to assess potential heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds present in commonly sold plantains in selected locations in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Fresh plantain specimens from Ekeremor and Tombia, Bayelsa state, Nigeria were collected, identified and assayed for potential organic/inorganic contaminants and phenolic compounds using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) following standard procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using IBM SPSS and results were presented as mean ± SEM. Our findings showed that the levels of chromium, lead, cadmium, and nickel in plantain samples from Ekeremor and Tombia, Nigeria were significantly higher than in the control sample. The most abundant PAHs were acenaphthylene, acenaphthrene, fluorine, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene. Furthermore, the highest concentrations of phenol were found in plantain samples taken from Ekeremor (8.28 ± 0.01). Values obtained were mostly above the limits set by the regulators. This poses possible carcinogenic concerns if consumed for a long time. Hence, effective management strategies are required to mitigate possible associated risks and protect public health.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adamu, H. M., Ushie O. A., Ogah, E., Nkom, P. Y., & Usman, U. (2016). Uptake and risk assessment of heavy metals in vegetables grown in Bayara-Bauchi, Nigeria. Federal University Wukari Trends in Science and Technology Journal., 1(1), 50-54
Adusei, S., Otchere, J. K., Oteng, P., Mensah, R. Q., & Tei-Mensah, E. (2019). Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and metal chelating capacity of Tetrapleuratetraptera. Heliyon, 5(11), e02762.
Alhassan, A. B., Balarabe, M. L., & Gadzama I. M. K. (2016). Assessment of some heavy metals in macrobenthic invertebrate and water samples collected from Kubanni reservoir, Zaria, Nigeria. Federal University Wukari Trends in Science and Technology Journal, 1(1), 55-60
Bolden, A. L., Rochester, J. R., Schultz, K., & Kwiatkowski, C. F. (2017). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and female reproductive health: A scoping review. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 73, 61–74
Borges, C. V., Maraschin, M., Coelho, D. S., Leonel, M., Gomez, H. A. G., Belin, M. A. F., ... & Lima, G. P. P. (2020). Nutritional value and antioxidant compounds during the ripening and after domestic cooking of bananas and plantains. Food Research International, 132, 109061.
Boris, N. T. J., Laurette, N. N., & Modestine, K. S. M. (2023). Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.): Production, Consumption and Processing in Cameroon. American Journal of Food Science and Technology, 11(1), 8-14.
Burchiel, S. W., & Gao, J. (2014). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the immune system. Encyclopedia Immunotoxicology. ed Vohr H-W. Berlin: Springer
Dan-Jumbo D., Saronee F., Azosibe P., Amadi J. E., Gbaranor K. B. (2024). Changes in Biochemical Indices in Lead-Induced Toxicity Following Administration of Methanolic Extracts of Curcuma longa Rhizomes and Cucumis sativus Fruits. Res Bio Sci. 7 (8); 36-44. Doi; 10.5281/zenodo.13898404
De Langhe, E., Perrier, X., Donohue, M., & Denham, T. P. (2015). The original banana split multi-disciplinary implications of the generation of African and Pacific plantains in island Southeast Asia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 14, 299-312.
Dixon, R. A., Achnine, L., Kota, P., Liu, C. J., Reddy, M. S., & Wang, L. (2002). The phenylpropanoid pathway and plant defence a genomics perspective. Molecular Plant Pathology, 3(5), 371-390.
Ighodaro, O. M. (2012). Evaluation study on Nigerian species of Musa paradisiaca peels. Researcher, 4(8), 17-20.
Kumar, S., Pandey, A. K., & Pandey, A. (2016). Chemistry and biological activities of flavonoids: An overview. The Scientific World Journal, 2013.
Kumari, A., Upadhyay, V., & Kumar, S. (2023). A critical insight into occurrence and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their green remediation approaches. Chemosphere, 138579.
Lee, B. K. (2011). Sources, distribution and toxicity of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter. In Air pollution. IntechOpen, 99–122.
Martí-Cid, R., Llobet, J. M., Castell, V., & Domingo, J. L. (2008). Evolution of the dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Catalonia, Spain. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(9), 3163-3171.
Rengarajan, T., Rajendran, P., Nandakumar, N., Lokeshkumar, B., Rajendran, P., & Nishigaki, I. (2015). Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with special focus on cancer. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 5(3), 182-189.
Saronee, F., Amah-Tariah, F. S., Chinko, B. C., & Dapper, D. V. (2023). Ameliorative effects of the hydromethanol leaf extract of Craterispermum schweinfurthii on phenyl hydrazine induced anemia in male Wistar rats. International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences, 10(3), 19-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8176890.
Saronee, F., Bekinbo, M. T., Ojeka, S. O., & Dapper, D. V. (2019). Comparative assessment of methanolic extracts of hog plum (Spondias mombin Linn.) leaves and turmeric (Curcuma long L.) rhizomes on blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin in male Wistar rats. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management, 23(9), 1631-1636. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v23i9.4
Saronee, F., Dan-jumbo, D., & Azosibe, P. (2024). Aphrodisiac properties of Craterispemum schweinfurthi Leaf Extract in Lead Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management, 28(5), 1513-1518. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i5.23.
Saronee, F., Dan-Jumbo, D., Azosibe, P., & Amadi, J. E. (2024). Modulatory Functions of Craterispermum schweinfurthi on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Gonadal Axis of Male Wistar Rats in Phenyl Hydrazine Induced Testicular Toxicity. Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research, 25(4), 31-39. DOI: 10.9734/JOCAMR/2024/v25i4530.
Saronee, F., Sunday, O. O., Okekem, A., Ogadinma, N. I., & Datonye, V. D. (2020). Comparative Study of the Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Spondias mombin Leaves and Curcuma longa Rhizomes on Serum Lipid Profile and Electrolytes in Alloxan Induced Diabetes in Male Wistar Rats. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 8(3), 1- 9. DOI: 10.9734/AJARR/2020/v8i330198.
Singh, B., Singh, J. P., Kaur, A., & Singh, N. (2008). Bioactive compounds in banana and their associated health benefits–A review. Food chemistry, 206, 1-11.
World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization (2024). Conference Outcome Document: Rome Declaration on Nutrition. Second International Conference on Nutrition. FAO and WHO, Rome. www.fao.org/3/a-m/542e.pdf.
Zheng, S., Wang, Q., Yuan, Y., & Sun, W. (2020). Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil and food crops in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration of China. Food chemistry, 316, 126213.