TITLE:
Evaluation of Toxicological Risk Related to Presence of Lead and Cadmium in Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves Powders Marketed in Cotonou (Benin)
AUTHORS:
Alain K. Aissi, Elisabeth Yehouenou Pazou, Théodora A. Ahoyo, Lauris Fah, Brice Fanou, Luc Koumolou, Hornel Koudokpon, Clément Agbangla, Kissao Gnandi, Frédéric Loko, Patrick A. Edorh
KEYWORDS:
Moringa oleifera; Lead; Cadmium; Hazard; Food Supplement
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.5 No.9,
April
1,
2014
ABSTRACT: To evaluate lead
and cadmium contamination in Moringa
oleifera leaves powders marketed in Cotonou and health risks associated
with its consumption, cross-sectional and analytical study were done from October
23th, 2012 to June 20th, 2013. Samples of Moringa powders
were purchased at different outlets (health centers, supermarkets, pharmacy,
etc.). Assays were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after
digestion according calcination method. Pb and Cd levels were compared with
Codex Alimentarius standards, using the Student t test. Daily Exposure Doses
(DDE) and Hazard Quotients (HQ) specific to each contaminant were calculated
using a conventional method. Results revealed that the mean concentration of
lead for all samples (1.526 mg/kg) exceeded of about 5.08 times the maximum
allowable limit whereas cadmium levels (0.246 mg/kg) was not statistically
higher than the standard. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd are
respectively 4.263 mg/kg and 0.354 mg/kg. Children are 2.3 to 3.8 times in
greater danger than adults although all QD calculated are less than 1,
reflecting that there is a low risk to consumers in general. For both metals,
DJE specifically linked to the consumption of Moringa was less than 2% compared
to other kinds of food intake. In conclusion, the current level of
contamination (with lead and cadmium) of Moringa leaves powders marketed in
Cotonou is not yet an alarming threat to consumers’ health. However, care must
be taken to reduce chemical pollution especially soils where these plants grow.