Assessment of Some weighty metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons roasted food in Amassoma, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Analysis of raw and roasted ready-to-eat foods namely; Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), suya
beef and plantain (Musa paradiasca) sold and consumed in Amassoma town were screened for the
presence of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentration of chromium, lead and
cadmium were also determined after digestion with aqua regia and analysed using atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. Column chromatography, packed with anhydrous Na2SO 4 and silica gel was used
for PAH extraction with dichloromethane as the eluting solvent. The identification and concentration of
PAHs were carried out by gas chromatography GC/FID with the aid of 15 PAH standards. Appreciable
amount of benzo[a]pyrene (2.41 µg/g) and benzo[b]fluoranthene (4.51 µg/g) were found present in
roasted mackerel fish; while a mean of 7.23 µg/g of benzo[a]anthracene was detected in suya beef.
Thirteen (13) other PAHs were present at various concentrations in the smoked fish. No PAH was
detected in roasted plantain and in the raw food items. Levels of the heavy metals were found in trace
amounts and were below World Health Organization limits for human consumption.