![]() 2018 Dibofori-Orji and Edori 2015 Kigigha et al. Heavy metals contamination in gari (Awoyale et al. Several metals, including Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in foodstuffs, are vital for biological functions in low concentrations, but excessive concentrations can cause metabolic anomalies (Linder 1991). A study carried out on processing equipment revealed that Hg, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Co, Ni and several other metals often appear in processed food, but their concentrations vary (Elekofehinti et al. 2018).Ĭontamination of food by heavy metals has become an unescapable yield of modern technology, although modern technology has contributed significantly to economic growth over the years (Dabonne et al. Cassava, like most plants, tends to bioaccumulate heavy metals in soil, which can then be transferred up the food chain (Kigigha et al. Cultivation of food crops in soils contaminated by heavy metals results in their accumulation in the edible parts, which humans later consumed (Amin et al. For optimum yield, cassava requires essential nutrients (iron, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, chromium, etc.) in trace amounts. The presence of heavy metals results in plant accumulation and the intake of contaminated food results in their biomagnification in the human body and are associated with an increased risk of neurological, kidney and cardiovascular diseases (Yang et al. ![]() Heavy metals enter food through soil, water for agricultural irrigation and materials used during food processing (Huang et al. Heavy metal pollution is one of the major concerns for food safety and security due to its severe detrimental effects on human health and the environment (Motesharrei et al. It is prepared from the combination of boiled cassava with plantain or cocoyam or cassava alone through pounding in a mortar with a pestle (Otoo et al. Fufu is a popular traditional food for most Ghanaians, especially among the Ashanti’s (Egyir and Yeboah 2009). In Ghana, cassava is consumed as a dried milled product known as kokonte, gari and fufu (Kleih et al. The processing method includes extracting starch, boiling and pounding, roasting/toasting, drying and milling into flour, fermenting, and peeling (Duah et al. Cassava is processed and consumed in different forms in sub-Saharan Africa (Duah et al. Processing the roots into various products increases the shelf life and makes transportation to urban markets less expensive (Taiwo 2006). If not properly processed, fresh cassava root undergoes fast spoilage within 48 to 72 h due to its high moisture content (Ashaye et al. Cassava roots also contain small amounts of β-carotene, iron and zinc (Gegios et al. Fresh cassava root contains 75–80% moisture, 0.70–2.50% ash, 1.0% fibre, 0.1% fat and 2–3% protein and 32–35% carbohydrate (Abass et al. Findings from the questionnaire administration indicated a complete lack of knowledge on consumer exposure due to the food processing method.Īs a typical carbohydrate food crop, cassava grows in soils with marginal nutrition (Aerni 2006). Hazard quotients and indices were less than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s permitted level of one, indicating no possible harm to consumers. Cr, Mn and Ni were below the detection limit (0.05). The concentrations of Fe and Zn were below the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) permissible limits except Zn concentration at Bomso. The results showed that Fe and Zn levels after milling were elevated in the range: 2.816–7.297 and 0.753–7.529 mg/kg, respectively. A total of 30 milled and un-milled fufu samples (cassava and plantain) were sampled from Bomso, Kotei, Ayeduase, Ayigya and Kentikrono, all within Kumasi. Human exposure to some heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni) through mechanically processed fufu consumption was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and ascertaining consumer awareness of potential exposure by questionnaire administration. Fufu is a delicacy in Ghana consumed mainly by the Akans. Contamination of food by heavy metals is a concern as consumption of contaminated food is one of the most likely human exposure routes to metals.
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