Health Risk of Heavy Metal and Genotoxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Extra-Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) Available in PortHarcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This research aims at determining the loading of contamination of some popular brands of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with genotoxic PAHs and Heavy Metals to ascertain its safety for consumption. The health risk associated with these heavy metals will be calculated and assessed. Extra virgin olive oil has experienced a surge in its consumption all around the world owing to its high nutritional content. Contamination with genotoxic PAHs and Heavy Metals can cause severe health defects if consumed regularly. PAHs and heavy metals are two distinct groups of ubiquitous contaminants with grave health consequences such as Tumorigenesis, carcinogenesis, organ failures etc. Samples of EVOO were analysed with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrophotometer and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) for PAHs and heavy metals respectively. After extraction with Dichloromethane and digestion with aqua regia (HCl/HNO3; 3:1) respectively, the results showed the presence of few genotoxic PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene, PAH4 and PAH8 with concentrations above regulatory limits of 0.002µg/g, 0.01µg/g and 0.01µg/g respectively. Among the heavy metals, Pb and Cd showed the most alarming levels of contamination of the heavy metals, above regulatory limits of 0.1µg/g and 0.05µg/g, however, analysis with Health Risk Index of consumption showed all samples were safe for consumption.