Assessment of Cyanide and Some Heavy Metals Concentration in Consumable Cassava Flour 'Lafun' Across Osogbo Metropolis, Nigeria

MOJ Eco Environ Sci. 2018;3(6):369‒372

4 Pages Posted: 19 Dec 2018

See all articles by Olawale H Sawyerr

Olawale H Sawyerr

Kwara State University - Department of Environmental Health Sciences; Kwara State University - Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies

Oluwaseun E. Odipe

Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Allied Health and Environmental Sciences; Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies, Kwara State University, Nigeria

Morufu Olalekan Raimi

Federal University Otuoke; Niger Delta University (NDU) - Department of Community Medicine

Olamide H Ogungbemi

Kwara State University - Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies

Date Written: 2018

Abstract

Introduction: Cassava, a naturally flourishing tuberous plant in Nigeria which has been source to varieties of food in its raw, semi-processed, and processed forms has helped reduced poverty and hunger. Cassava in its various food forms contains varying amount of elements like cyanide, copper, selenium, iron, lead, nickel, cadmium and zinc which are essential elements for man, animal and plants but become toxic if the homeostatic mechanisms maintaining their physiological limit are disrupted or their concentration is very high at certain levels. The significant concentration of heavy metals in cassava flour and prolong consumption can damage the health of man. This research work determined the concentration of cyanide and some metal toxicant in cassava flour from Osogbo metropolis.

Methodology: Samples were collected across five markets in Osogbo metropolis and analyzed for cyanide, copper, selenium, iron, lead, nickel, cadmium and zinc. Cyanide concentration was determined using UV/visible spectrophotometer, cadmium and selenium using titrimetric methods, while lead, nickel and cadmium were determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results: Across all the samples analyzed, the result showed that the ranges of concentration for cyanide was 0.03-0.09mg/kg, copper 0.35-0.62mg/kg, selenium 3.46-5.43mg/kg, iron 0.1-0.6mg/kg, lead 0.01-0.34mg/kg, nickel 0.20-0.49mg/kg, cadmium 0.01-0.05mg/kg, zinc 0.182-0.31mg/kg. The concentration of cyanide, copper, selenium, iron, nickel, cadmium, and zinc are within the NIS permissible limit.

Conclusion: The concentration of lead (0.34mg/kg) was found higher in Akindeko market than the NIS permissible limit of 0.1mg/kg for edible cassava flour. Hence, this study clearly advises that there is need for citizen advocacy, continuous monitoring and supervision to improve the hygienic preparation and storage of cassava flour in order to protect man.

Keywords: cassava flour, cyanide, citizen advocacy osogbo metropolis, heavy metals, NIS

Suggested Citation

Sawyerr, Olawale H and Odipe, Oluwaseun E. and Raimi, Morufu Olalekan and Ogungbemi, Olamide H, Assessment of Cyanide and Some Heavy Metals Concentration in Consumable Cassava Flour 'Lafun' Across Osogbo Metropolis, Nigeria (2018). MOJ Eco Environ Sci. 2018;3(6):369‒372, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3294152

Olawale H Sawyerr

Kwara State University - Department of Environmental Health Sciences

Nigeria

Kwara State University - Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies

Nigeria

Oluwaseun E. Odipe

Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Allied Health and Environmental Sciences ( email )

Kwara State University
Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research
Malete
Nigeria
+2348138032921 (Phone)

Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies, Kwara State University, Nigeria ( email )

Ilorin
Nigeria

Morufu Olalekan Raimi (Contact Author)

Federal University Otuoke ( email )

Department of Environmental Management and
Toxicology
Bayelsa
Nigeria

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.growkudos.com/profile/morufu_raimi

Niger Delta University (NDU) - Department of Community Medicine ( email )

Nigeria
07038053786 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Morufu_Raimi

Olamide H Ogungbemi

Kwara State University - Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies

Nigeria

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