Appraisal and health risk assessment of potential toxic element in fruits and vegetables from three markets in Anambra state, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The influence of anthropogenic activities has led to increase of potential toxic elements (PTEs) present in plant-based food sources, even in trace amounts; thus, it is known to pose a threat to human health over an extended period. The concentration levels of PTEs (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Co and Ni) in soils and fruits and vegetables from three markets (Atani, Omor and Eke Awka) in Anambra state, Southeastern Nigeria were quantified and assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) instrument. The result of PTE (mg/kg) studied was in the order Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > Cd with the highest value for Zn (13.61 mg/kg) recorded in soil sample at Omor market. The mean concentrations of PTEs in soil of both evaluated studied areas were lower than the WHO permissible limits for PTEs in soil. Among the fruits and vegetables, Bitter leaf had highest PTE from Eke Awka followed by banana, fluted pumpkin, water leaf and onion. Fluted pumpkin had the highest PTE content from Omor followed by watermelon, water leaf, onion and cucumber, while water leaf had the highest metal concentration from Atani followed by bitter leaf, fluted pumpkin, cucumber, lettuce and carrot. Health risk assessment showed that hazard index (HI) in decreasing order was Eke – Awka market > Omor market > Atani market across all fruits and vegetables, as adverse health effect is not expected. The present study recommends containment measures of potential toxic elements in soils and fruits/vegetables to prevent excessive accumulation in food value chain.