Occurrence of 30 trace elements in foods from a multi-centre Sub-Saharan Africa Total Diet Study: Focus on Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jitaru, Petru; Ingenbleek, Luc; Marchond, Nathalie; Laurent, Clémence; Adegboye, Abimbola; Hossou, Sètondji Epiphane; Koné, Abdoulaye Zié; Oyedele, Awoyinka Dada; Kisito, Chabi Sika K.J.; Dembélé, Yara Koreissi; Eyangoh, Sara; Verger, Philippe; Le Bizec, Bruno; Leblanc, Jean-Charles; Guérin, Thierry
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 133(2019)Part B
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Total diet study -- Trace elements -- Sub-Saharan Africa -- Benin -- Cameroon -- Mali -- Nigeria; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105197
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 30 inorganic contaminants in foods from the first regional Sub-Saharan Africa TDS. Food were prepared as consumed and pooled into representative composite samples. Samples covered over 90% of the Total Diet from Benin, Cameroon, Mali and Nigeria. Additional food contamination with Al and Pb occurred when using artisanal cookware. Extensive leaching of Al and Pb from artisanal cookware with core food tomato. Abstract: This paper reports occurrence data related to 30 trace elements in food composite samples from a multi-regional Sub-Saharan Africa Total Diet Study. Herein, 2700 samples grouped in 225 food composite samples corresponding to 13 food groups: cereals, tubers, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds, meat, eggs, fish, milk/dairy, oil/fats, and beverages from eight locations in four countries, namely Benin (Littoral/Borgou), Cameroon (Duala/North), Mali (Bamako/Sikasso), and Nigeria (Lagos/Kano) were prepared as consumed, pooled, and analysed using a validated method based on inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The occurrence data for Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb as regulated by the Codex Alimentarius are discussed herein. Although the levels of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were above the limit of quantification, they were below the maximum limits set by the Codex in most samples analysed. A distinct feature was observed for cereals and tubers, as they were mostly contaminated with Al and Pb. A pilot study regarding the impact of using artisanal cookware (made from recycled aluminium) on the contamination of food samples was performed. Relevant contamination with Al and Pb when cooking tomato samples from Cameroon and Nigeria using artisanal aluminium cookware was compared to that when cooked using stainless-steel.