MINERAL ELEMENTS AND HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED FOOD SEASONINGS CONSUMED IN MINNA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Eight samples of food seasonings: Ajinomoto, Maggi, Royco, Vedan, Knorr, Dinor, Onga stew, and Onga classic were obtained from Minna Central Market and were digested using standard laboratory techniques. Investigations on the concentrations of some mineral elements, Sodium, Potassium and Calcium and two heavy metals, Cadmium and Lead, were carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Royco had the highest calcium concentration (0.022+0.001μg/g), with Onga classic having lowest (0.002+0.00 μg/g). Potassium is highest (0.020+0.016 μg/g) in Vedan, and lowest (0.003+0.001 μg/g) in Ajinomoto. Sodium is highest (0.021+0.011 μg/g) in Dinor, and lowest (0.003+0.002 μg/g) in Knorr. Cadmium and Lead were both present in high concentrations in all the samples analysed. The presence of Cadmium and Lead in the food seasonings even at low concentrations could prove fatal through bioaccumulation.