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Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contamination Levels in Underutilized Grains (Guinea Corn, Pigeon Peas and Bambara Nut) in South East Nigeria

Received: 18 February 2022     Accepted: 14 March 2022     Published: 9 April 2022
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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs are harmful persistent organic pollutants formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter. They are carcinogenic and mutagenic and can occur in foods. These underutilized grains- guinea corn, pigeon peas and bambra nut are commonly consumed in South East Nigeria. This study aimed to quantitatively determine the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination levels in these underutilized grains (guinea corn, pigeon peas and bambara nut) commonly consumed in Eastern part of Nigeria. The sixteen PAHs were determined in the grain samples using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector, GC- FID after extraction by sonication. The concentrations (×10-2 µg/kg) of ∑16 PAHs in the analyzed samples were in the range of 24.07 to 36.49 in red guinea corn and red pigeon peas respectively. The lower molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, LMW-PAHs total mean concentrations (×10-2 µg/kg) varied from 6.217±0.442 in red guinea corn to 10.423±6.661 in pure white bambara nut at the percentages of 25.83% and 33.51% respectively. While the high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, HMW-PAHs varied from 14.835±7.178 to 27.657±14.190 respectively in white pigeon peas and red pigeon peas at the percentages of 59.34% and 75.79%. The total mean concentration levels (×10-2 µg/kg) of ∑8 carcinogenic PAHs in samples ranged from 10.913±4.215 in white pigeon peas to 17.444±7.023 in red pigeon peas. The sixteen priority PAHs were detected in all the samples at a very low level, below the maximum allowable limit- 1.0µg/kg established by European Food Safety Authority, EFSA for cereals and cereal-based products. But this can be harmful to human being at long time accumulation in the body. Permissible limit of PAHs in legume grains should also be established.

Published in American Journal of Applied Chemistry (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12
Page(s) 43-47
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Bambara Nut, Underutilized, Food

References
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[7] IPGRI (2002). Neglected and underutilized plant species: Strategic Action Plan of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. ISBN 978-92-9043-529-7. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
[8] Williams, J. T. and Haq, N (2002). Global research on underutilized crops - an assessment of current activities and proposals for enhanced cooperation. Southampton, UK: International Centre for Underutilised Crops. ISBN 978-92-9043-545-7. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
[9] Akporhonor, E. E., Egwaikhide, P. A. and Eguavoen, T. O. (2006) Effect of Sprouting on invitro digestibility of some locally consumed leguminous seeds. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management. 10 (3): 55–58.
[10] Adu-Gyamfi, Joseph J.; Myaka, Fidelis A.; Sakala, Webster D.; Odgaard, Rie; Vesterager, Jens M.; Jensen, Henning Høgh (2007). "Biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogen and phosphorus budgets in farmer-managed intercrops of maize-pigeonpea in semi-arid southern and eastern Africa". Plant and Soil. 295 (1–2): 127–136. doi: 10.1007/s11104-007-9270-0.
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[12] Nutritional facts and analysis for pigeon peas (red gram) mature seed raw.
[13] Bamshaiye O. M., Adegbola J. A., Bamishaiye E. I. (2011) Bambara groundnut: An under-utilized nut in Africa. Adv. Agric. Biotechnol, 1: 60–72.
[14] Swanevelder C. J. (1998) Bambara—Food for Africa. National Department of Agriculture, Government Printer; Pretoria, South Africa.
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[16] Pastor-Cavada E., Juan R., Pastor J. E., Alaiz M., Vioque J. (2014) Protein and amino acid composition of select wild legume species of tribe Fabeae. Food Chem. 163: 97–102.
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[19] European Food Safety Authority, (EFSA) (2008). Scientific opinion of the panel on contaminants in the food chain on a request from the European commission on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food. Euro Food Saf Auth J, 724: 1-114.
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    Ifeoma Maryrose Odika, Gloria Chinenye Nwansiobi, Uche Virginia Okpala, Evangeline Chinyere Obi-Uchendu, Mediatrix Obiageli Odionyenma. (2022). Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contamination Levels in Underutilized Grains (Guinea Corn, Pigeon Peas and Bambara Nut) in South East Nigeria. American Journal of Applied Chemistry, 10(2), 43-47. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12

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    Ifeoma Maryrose Odika; Gloria Chinenye Nwansiobi; Uche Virginia Okpala; Evangeline Chinyere Obi-Uchendu; Mediatrix Obiageli Odionyenma. Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contamination Levels in Underutilized Grains (Guinea Corn, Pigeon Peas and Bambara Nut) in South East Nigeria. Am. J. Appl. Chem. 2022, 10(2), 43-47. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12

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    AMA Style

    Ifeoma Maryrose Odika, Gloria Chinenye Nwansiobi, Uche Virginia Okpala, Evangeline Chinyere Obi-Uchendu, Mediatrix Obiageli Odionyenma. Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contamination Levels in Underutilized Grains (Guinea Corn, Pigeon Peas and Bambara Nut) in South East Nigeria. Am J Appl Chem. 2022;10(2):43-47. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12,
      author = {Ifeoma Maryrose Odika and Gloria Chinenye Nwansiobi and Uche Virginia Okpala and Evangeline Chinyere Obi-Uchendu and Mediatrix Obiageli Odionyenma},
      title = {Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contamination Levels in Underutilized Grains (Guinea Corn, Pigeon Peas and Bambara Nut) in South East Nigeria},
      journal = {American Journal of Applied Chemistry},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {43-47},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajac.20221002.12},
      abstract = {Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs are harmful persistent organic pollutants formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter. They are carcinogenic and mutagenic and can occur in foods. These underutilized grains- guinea corn, pigeon peas and bambra nut are commonly consumed in South East Nigeria. This study aimed to quantitatively determine the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination levels in these underutilized grains (guinea corn, pigeon peas and bambara nut) commonly consumed in Eastern part of Nigeria. The sixteen PAHs were determined in the grain samples using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector, GC- FID after extraction by sonication. The concentrations (×10-2 µg/kg) of ∑16 PAHs in the analyzed samples were in the range of 24.07 to 36.49 in red guinea corn and red pigeon peas respectively. The lower molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, LMW-PAHs total mean concentrations (×10-2 µg/kg) varied from 6.217±0.442 in red guinea corn to 10.423±6.661 in pure white bambara nut at the percentages of 25.83% and 33.51% respectively. While the high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, HMW-PAHs varied from 14.835±7.178 to 27.657±14.190 respectively in white pigeon peas and red pigeon peas at the percentages of 59.34% and 75.79%. The total mean concentration levels (×10-2 µg/kg) of ∑8 carcinogenic PAHs in samples ranged from 10.913±4.215 in white pigeon peas to 17.444±7.023 in red pigeon peas. The sixteen priority PAHs were detected in all the samples at a very low level, below the maximum allowable limit- 1.0µg/kg established by European Food Safety Authority, EFSA for cereals and cereal-based products. But this can be harmful to human being at long time accumulation in the body. Permissible limit of PAHs in legume grains should also be established.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Contamination Levels in Underutilized Grains (Guinea Corn, Pigeon Peas and Bambara Nut) in South East Nigeria
    AU  - Ifeoma Maryrose Odika
    AU  - Gloria Chinenye Nwansiobi
    AU  - Uche Virginia Okpala
    AU  - Evangeline Chinyere Obi-Uchendu
    AU  - Mediatrix Obiageli Odionyenma
    Y1  - 2022/04/09
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12
    T2  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
    JF  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
    JO  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
    SP  - 43
    EP  - 47
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8745
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20221002.12
    AB  - Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs are harmful persistent organic pollutants formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter. They are carcinogenic and mutagenic and can occur in foods. These underutilized grains- guinea corn, pigeon peas and bambra nut are commonly consumed in South East Nigeria. This study aimed to quantitatively determine the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination levels in these underutilized grains (guinea corn, pigeon peas and bambara nut) commonly consumed in Eastern part of Nigeria. The sixteen PAHs were determined in the grain samples using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector, GC- FID after extraction by sonication. The concentrations (×10-2 µg/kg) of ∑16 PAHs in the analyzed samples were in the range of 24.07 to 36.49 in red guinea corn and red pigeon peas respectively. The lower molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, LMW-PAHs total mean concentrations (×10-2 µg/kg) varied from 6.217±0.442 in red guinea corn to 10.423±6.661 in pure white bambara nut at the percentages of 25.83% and 33.51% respectively. While the high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, HMW-PAHs varied from 14.835±7.178 to 27.657±14.190 respectively in white pigeon peas and red pigeon peas at the percentages of 59.34% and 75.79%. The total mean concentration levels (×10-2 µg/kg) of ∑8 carcinogenic PAHs in samples ranged from 10.913±4.215 in white pigeon peas to 17.444±7.023 in red pigeon peas. The sixteen priority PAHs were detected in all the samples at a very low level, below the maximum allowable limit- 1.0µg/kg established by European Food Safety Authority, EFSA for cereals and cereal-based products. But this can be harmful to human being at long time accumulation in the body. Permissible limit of PAHs in legume grains should also be established.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

  • Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

  • Department of Chemistry Education, School of Sciences, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Nigeria

  • Department of Chemistry Education, School of Sciences, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Nigeria

  • Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

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