Abstract
To evaluate lead and cadmium contamination in Moringa oleifera leaves powders marketed in Cotonou and health risks associated with its consumption, cross-sectional and analytical study were done from October 23th, 2012 to June 20th, 2013. Samples of Moringa powders were purchased at different outlets (health centers, supermarkets, pharmacy, etc.). Assays were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion according calcination method. Pb and Cd levels were compared with Codex Alimentarius standards, using the Student t test. Daily Exposure Doses (DDE) and Hazard Quotients (HQ) specific to each contaminant were calculated using a conventional method. Results revealed that the mean concentration of lead for all samples (1.526 mg/kg) exceeded of about 5.08 times the maximum allowable limit whereas cadmium levels (0.246 mg/kg) was not statistically higher than the standard. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd are respectively 4.263 mg/kg and 0.354 mg/kg. Children are 2.3 to 3.8 times in greater danger than adults although all QD calculated are less than 1, reflecting that there is a low risk to consumers in general. For both metals, DJE specifically linked to the consumption of Moringa was less than 2% compared to other kinds of food intake. In conclusion, the current level of contamination (with lead and cadmium) of Moringa leaves powders marketed in Cotonou is not yet an alarming threat to consumers’ health. However, care must be taken to reduce chemical pollution especially soils where these plants grow.
Highlights
The rapid development of knowledge on nutritional and medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera leaves [1]-[7] promotes increasingly its use as food supplements [8]-[11]
The present study aims to evaluate lead and cadmium concentration in Moringa oleifera powders marketed as food supplement in Cotonou and characterizes consumers’ health risks
Heavy Metals Contents in Samples Powders Analyzed 1) Lead content Assays performed on Moringa oleifera powders showed that 58.33% of selected samples had lead levels exceeding the standard of 0.3 mg/kg set by Codex Alimentarius applicable to foodstuffs according (Codex Standard 193-1995)
Summary
The rapid development of knowledge on nutritional and medicinal properties (anti-immunosuppressive, antihyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-anemic, anti-toxic, etc.) of Moringa oleifera leaves [1]-[7] promotes increasingly its use as food supplements [8]-[11]. Consumers including thousands of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) malnourished under the weight of the disease and the influence of antiretrovirals drugs [16] are certainly exposed to a real danger In this context, it is important to stimulate the judicious intervention at every level of the production chain of said powders in order to ensure on the market safe products [17] [18]. The present study aims to evaluate lead and cadmium concentration in Moringa oleifera powders marketed as food supplement in Cotonou and characterizes consumers’ health risks. The choices of these two heavy metals are due partly by their highly toxic nature [21] when exceeding a certain threshold in food [22] [23]. This choice is explained by the fact that several studies conducted in Benin report currently a growing threat of bioaccumulation of these toxic in some drinking water [24], freshwater fish [25] [26], vegetables [27] [28] and other food products [29], fawned by the people
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
