Metals Assessments and Health Risk Associated with Consumption of Some Selected Fruits Obtained from Angwan Rukumba Market in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This work studies the accumulation of selected metals (Mg, Mn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe and Cu) and human health risk via the consumption of selected fruits (Apple, Cucumber, Pawpaw, Sweet Melon and Banana) obtained in Angwan Rukumba Market, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. The fruits were digested after air-dried with a mixture of HNO3 and HClO4 (2;1) and each of these metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The results of these metals content in fruit obtained in this market ranged as follows: Apple: Mg (0.630), Mn (0.325), Cr (0.132), Cd (0.174), Pb (0.339), Zn (1.217), Fe (0.374) and Cu (0.218), Cucumber: Mg (0.193), Mn (0.205), Cr (0.102), Cd (0.647), Pb (0.339), Zn (0.231), Fe (0.460) and Cu (0.359), Pawpaw: Mg (0.550), Mn (0.264),  Cr (0.701), Cd (0.151), Pb (0.094), Zn (0.086), Fe (0.110), and Cu (0.286), Sweet Melon: Mg (0.164), Mn (0.196), Cr (0.118), Cd (0.108), Pb (0.065), Zn (0.564), Fe (0.285) and Cu (0.246) and Banana: Mg (0.240), Mn (0.187), Cr (0.182), Cd (0.231), Pb (0.363), Zn (0.333), Fe (0.025) and Cu (0.418) in mg/kg respectively, the results of these metals in these fruits are generally lower than WHO/FAO exception of cadmium in cucumber and banana (0.647mg/kg and 0.237mg/kg) which is higher than WHO/FAO values of 0.20mg/kg. The daily intake metal (DIM) values are Mg (0.014 – 0.053), Mn (0.016 – 0.028), Cr (0.009 – 0.060), Cd (0.009 – 0.055), Pb (0.005 – 0.031), Fe (0.002 – 0.040), Zn (0.007 – 0.103) and Cu (0.019 – 0.036) respectively for the five fruits. The Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) values were less than 1.0 for all the metals studied which possibly suggest there is no obvious risk in consuming these fruits from this market.