POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) AND TRACE METALS IN SOME BRANDS OF SAUSAGE ROLL IN THE NIGERIAN MARKET

Abstract

Background: Concentrations of PAHs and trace metals in five selected brands of sausage commonly available in the Nigerian market were determined in this study. The health risk assessment of both PAHs and trace metals were also evaluated. Methods: PAHs extraction of the sausage samples was carried out with Soxhlet extractor and clean-up of the extract was done using activated silica gel. The analysis of target analytes including the 16 priority PAHs was performed with Gas Chromatography equipped with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and the concentration of trace metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) after acid digestion of the sausage samples.Results: The amounts of Ʃ16 PAHs in sausage samples were in the range of 12.5-36.2 µg/g. All the samples investigated had concentration of Benzo (a) pyrene above 0.001 µg/g limit in processed cereal based food products stipulated by European Commission Regulation. In this study, the brands of sausages were majorly polluted with 4- and 5-ring PAHs. The concentrations (mg/Kg) of trace metals ranged as follows: Zn (1.01-71.0), Cu (ND-8.12) and Cr (ND-16.4). Cd was not detected in all the sample. Pb ranged from 2.34-13.0 mg/kg infringing the safe limit for cereals and cereal-based food products of 0.3 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg stipulated by FAO/WHO and European Commission, respectively. Conclusion: However, it is imperative to constantly monitor and control the concentrations of these pollutants in sausages since they are commonly consumed by Nigerian school children and youths.