Heavy and Trace Elements in Some Brands of Rice Consumed in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Determination of trace elements and heavy metals, copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni),beryllium (Be), cadmium(Cd), chromium(Cr),mercury(Hg) and Lead (Pb) concentration in rice samples purchased from the major markets in Delta State were carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The metals detected in rice samples ranged from 0.05 to 14.87mg/kg of Zn, 0.08 to 15.33mg/kg of Fe, <1.00 to 22.73mg/kg of Pb, <0.05 to 2.82mg/kg of Cu, and <0.05 to 2.37mg/kg of Ni. For mercury the values were 0.001 for all samples. It was not < 0.05mg/Kg for Cd, Cr, Be and Hg. Overall, the present study revealed that the levels of the trace elements were generally below permissible limits. However, Pb and Fe were found to be of high concentrations in some samples. These levels compare well with those reported for rice from some other parts of the globe.