期刊名称：International Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology Research
电子版ISSN：2408-7262
出版年度：2014
卷号：2
期号：6
页码：130-135
语种：English
出版社：International Invention Journals
摘要：Heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides residue levels were assessed in some natural spices sold in Kumasi. A total of twenty samples comprising of ten different spices were purchased from vendors from Asafo and Central markets in Kumasi, Ghana, homogenized and digested with acid mixture (1:1 HNO3: HClO4). Sample solutions were analyzed for THg using an Automatic Mercury Analyzer Model HG-5000 and for the other metals using SHIMADZU Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AA 240 FS). The organochlorine pesticides were determined with Shimadzu gas chromatograph GC-2010 with ECD. THg concentrations ranged from 1 ppb to 35 ppb for all spices, and were below EU maximum limit in food (500 ppb), that for Cd also ranged from below detectable limit to 0.47 ppm, and 25% of the samples were above the EU maximum limit in food (0.05 ppm). Lindane concentration (µg/kg) for all the spices ranged from 10 to 180, HCB range from below detectable limit (1 ppb) to 166 ppb. Although, most of the organochlorine residues detected were below the maximum limits set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), bioaccumulation of these residues is likely to pose health problems in higher organisms like human beings. Keywords: Heavy metals, Organochlorine, Pesticides, Spice, Ghana.
