Evaluation of Trace Elements and Total Antioxidant Status in Nigerian Cassava Processors

Abstract

The consumption and export cassava or cassava product is on the increase, thus more Nigerians are involved in the planting and processing of cassava stems and tubers respectively. Tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN) and diabetes Mellitus (DM) are among the cassava-cyanide induced conditions in rural Nigerians that engaged in processing and consumption of cassava products. TAN and DM are associated with certain trace elements, therefore this study determines the levels of trace elements (Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb) and total antioxidant (TAS) in 36 Nigerian cassava processors and 24 controls using spectrophotometric methods. The mean levels of Mg, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu were not significantly raised in cassava processors compared with the controls. Also, the mean levels of essential trace elements such as Se, Zn, Fe, Mn and TAS were not significantly reduced in cassava processors compared with the controls. Fairly raised levels of toxic metals (Pb and Cd) and reduced levels of nutritionally essential trace elements (Se, Fe and Zn) call for future concern about the health status of long-time cassava processors.