Research Article Open Access

A Comparative Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Commercial Wheat Flours Sold in Calabar-Nigeria

Authors

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Edem Christopher A.
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
|
Grace Iniama
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
|
Vincent Osabor
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
|
Rebbeca Etiuma
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
|
Matilda Ochelebe
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
DOI 10.3923/pjn.2009.585.587
PDF

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals in commercial brands of wheat flours sold in Calabar-Nigeria were evaluated using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result of the analysis table showed the concentrations of the Heavy metals to be Cd (0.002 mg/kg) Cr (0.012 mg/kg) Cu (0.016 mg/kg) Fe (0.040 mg/kg) Ni (0.006.and Zn (0.019 mg/kg) for Dangote flour samples and Cd (0.0004 mg/kg) Cr (0.006 mg/kg) Cu (0.034 mg/kg) Fe (0.020 mg/kg) Ni (0.060 mg/kg) for Golden penny flour sample. Mn, Pb, As and Hg were not detected in all the samples while Zn was only detected in Dangote flour. The results revealed the heavy metals concentrations to follow the trend Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd for Dangote flour and Ni > Cu > Fe > Cr > Cd for Golden Penny flour. Keywords Heavy Metals. Golden Penny, Dangote Wheat flour.

Keywords:

Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, heavy metals, wheat flours

Article Metrics

258 Abstract Views
194 File Views
0 Downloads

Article Citation Metrics

How to Cite

A., E. C., Iniama, G., Osabor, V., Etiuma, R., & Ochelebe, M. (2009). A Comparative Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Commercial Wheat Flours Sold in Calabar-Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(5), 585-587. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2009.585.587