INVESTIGATION ON THE OCCURENCE OF HEAVY METALS IN YOGHURT SOLD
ABSTRACT
24 samples of various brands of yoghurt were collected from two popular Lagos markets, and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of heavy metals in 100% of the samples was found to be below the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Lead, Cadmium, and Chromium concentrations range from 0.52ppm to 0.92ppm, 0.14ppm to 0.49ppm, and 0.26ppm to 0.75ppm, respectively. The group mean of each element’s concentration (Lead, Cadmium, and Chromium) in all brands is 0.70ppm, 0.27ppm, and 0.41ppm, respectively. According to the findings, the concentration of all heavy metals in yoghurt is within safe limits. The recommended levels of lead (pb), cadmium, and chromium are 0.2 – 2.0ppm, 0.5ppm, and 1.0ppm, respectively.
According to the World Health Organization, the relatively increased lead (pb) in yoghurt could be attributed to Lagos State’s industrialized status, which if not controlled, could lead to higher value in the long run.
CHAPITRE ONE
INTRODUCTION (1.0)
The extraction and distribution of mineral substances from their natural deposits has been accompanied by increasing industrialization around the world.
Following concentration, many of these underwent chemical changes via technical processes before passing into the water, the earth, and the air, and thus into the food chain via effluent, sewage dumps, and dust.
Any metallic chemical element with a relatively high density that is toxic or poisonous at high concentrations is referred to as a heavy metal. Mercury (Hg), Cadmium, and other heavy metals are examples.
Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), and Thallium (Cd) (Ti). Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements in the earth’s crust. They cannot be destroyed or degraded. They enter the body in small amounts through food, drinking water, and air. Contaminants are undesirable materials that have been added to foods intentionally before, during, or after processing, according to food analysts. Heavy metals are hazardous because they bioaccumulate. Bioaccumulation is defined as an increase in the concentration of a chemical in a biological organism over time in comparison to the concentration of the chemical in the environment. Compounds accumulate in living things whenever they are taken up and stored faster than they are broken down or excreted.
Most substances that people were likely to encounter in their early lives were
Their daily lives were derived from the earth, animals, vegetables, crops, and mineral sources with little modification. Today, there is a large presence of synthetic chemicals in the environment, a class that did not exist prior to their creation by human scientific and industrial effort. The dominance of chemicals in our lives is increasing; can we imagine life without agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, preservatives, colorants, plastics, and so on? (Envis Newsletter, 2002). Heavy metals can enter waste or even acidic rain, which degrades soils and releases many heavy metals into streams, lakes, rivers, and ground water. The presence of the most harmful elements in foods is usually due to one of the following factors:
Natural occurrence, such as deposition in animal liver.
Sprays that are used as
Insecticides, such as lead arsenate, are used during cultivation.
Contamination caused by the confusion of materials with similar appearances.
Food may dissolve metals from equipment and containers, such as tin plate, foils, solders, galvanized iron, and inexpensive enamels and glazes. Fermented dairy products, such as yoghurt, are among the recreational drinks used to stimulate appetite and can also be consumed for pleasure. Yoghurt is a fermented milk product that originated in Eastern Europe but is now consumed worldwide. The French called it “milk of eternity” because it was thought to have therapeutic properties and to give those who drank it life.
Yoghurt is the most popular milk product in Lagos State, which may be explained in part by the fact that Because cheese is difficult to come by in Lagos, compared to other parts of the country, it is the most readily available milk product. In the above sense, heavy metal research should be a priority and a necessity. Because heavy metal toxicity, such as lead, causes miscarriage in pregnant women, sudden infant death syndrome, and stillbirth. (Boekx, 1986). Increased lead levels in the body are also known to have negative effects on brain development (Bryee – Smith and Stephenes, 2001). Chromium damages the kidneys and liver, and Cadmium causes kidney problems, anemia, and reproductive failure. Murthy and Reha (2001) provide an example. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium have been identified as potentially toxic within specific environments.
Limiting values are a significant potential hazard exit for human nutrition.
Metals are useful to humans, but their utility is dependent on the chemical specifications. For example, their salts could be used as preservatives, disinfectants, fumigants, and so on in yoghurt manufacturing industries.
1.1 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To detect the presence of heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and cadmium in yoghurt sold in the Lagos market.
To ascertain the concentration of these heavy metals in yoghurt sold in the Lagos market.
To provide a review of the health implications of these heavy metals in high concentrations.
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