Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria; Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria
Alade, G.O., Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria; Vaikosen, E.N., Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria; Ebeshi, B.U., Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria
The use of herbal products in Yenagoa and the rate of their increasing promotion on mass media is also alarming. Their safety is not really clearly understood.The physiochemical properties and heavy metal contaminants (Pb, Cd, Co, Zn and Fe) in four (4) decoctions marketed by hawkers in Yenagoa and its environs in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria were investigated. Heavy metals were determined using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). All the decoctions were acidic and pH values ranged between 6.18 ± 0.004 and 6.96 ± 0.071. The total solids are between 1.96 ± 0.011 and 4.35 ± 0.045 % w/v.The level of Cd were below detection limit (BDL) in all decoctions. Pb and Co were only detected in samples 4 and 1 respectively. The concentrations of Pb and Co were 60.669 ± 1.893 μg/mL and 0.015± 0.001 μg/mL respectively. The daily consumption of Pb and Co is equivalent to 18200.7μg/day and 4.5 μg/day respectively as prescribed by hawkers. The Pb content significantly exceeded the WHO acceptable daily intake of 200 - 250 μg/day for an adult. The concentration of zinc in decoctions ranged from BDL -1.578 ± 0.002 μg/mL and is detected only in sample 4, while Fe content ranged from BDL - 7.183 ± 0.051 μg/m. Their daily equivalents as prescribed were below the maximum permissible levels acceptable to FAO/WHO and UK dietary regulatory limits.
cadmium; cobalt; iron; lead; trace metal; zinc; accuracy; article; atomic absorption spectrometry; chemical analysis; concentration (parameters); controlled study; food analysis; food intake; herb; herbal medicine; limit of detection; Nigeria; nonhuman; pH measurement; physical chemistry; phytochemistry; relative density; risk assessment; risk factor; soil pollution