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  DOI Prefix   10.20431


 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products
Volume 5, Issue 1, 2019, Page No: 30-42

Composition of Potential Heavy Metal Contaminants in Selected Liquid and Powdered Herbal Medicines Commonly Sold in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua*

Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Citation : Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua*, et.al., Composition of Potential Heavy Metal Contaminants in Selected Liquid and Powdered Herbal Medicines Commonly Sold in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria International Journal of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products 2019 ,5(1) : 30-39.

Abstract

Four potential heavy metal contaminants (PHMC) were analyzed in nine (9) different brands of liquid and five (5) powdered herbal products commonly sold in Port Harcourt metropolis with a view to ascertaining their levels and comparing them with standard regulatory limits (WHO) in order to establish if they are safe for human consumption. The samples were processed, digested and analyzed in triplicate using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GBC Avanta PM6600 type). Concentration of heavy metals in liquid herbal products ranged from < 0.001 - 2.541 ppm (copper) and 0.041 - 0.982 ppm (manganese), while chromium and cadmium were reportedly below detection limit in all test samples. Mean concentrations of copper and manganese in liquid herbal medicines were 0.38 ± 0.79 ppm and 0.47 ± 0.27 ppm respectively. On the other hand, the powdered herbs depicted heavy metal concentrations ranging from 0.049 - 0.143 ppm (chromium), 0.437 - 2.587 ppm (cadmium), while copper and manganese were reportedly below instrument detection limit. Mean concentrations of chromium and cadmium in finished powdered herbal products were 0.108 ± 0.045 ppm and 1.245 ± 0.815 ppm respectively. Apart from cadmium that exceeded WHO recommended limit in powdered herbal products, all other heavy metal contaminants were observed to be within recommended WHO limits and levels established by countries like Canada and Singapore. There was marked significant variation (P< 0.05) in the concentration of copper and manganese amongst the various liquid herbal medicines that were tested. Similarly, the finished powdered herbal products showed significant variation (P < 0.05) in concentrations of chromium and cadmium. Overall, the significant concentration of cadmium found in herbs of powdered form which are sold within the Port Harcourt metropolis is alarming and may be responsible for the high occurrence of kidney and liver health cases.


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