Risk assessment of mineral and heavy metal content of selected tea products from the Ghanaian market

Nkansah, MA; Opoku, F; Ackumey, AA

HERO ID

3379078

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2016

Language

English

PMID

27154053

HERO ID 3379078
In Press No
Year 2016
Title Risk assessment of mineral and heavy metal content of selected tea products from the Ghanaian market
Authors Nkansah, MA; Opoku, F; Ackumey, AA
Journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Volume 188
Issue 6
Page Numbers 332
Abstract Food consumption is the most likely route of human exposure to metals. Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is among the most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverages. Concentrations of heavy metals and minerals in tea from 15 different brands in Kumasi, Ghana were measured to assess the health risk associated with their consumption. The mineral and metal contents (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Z-8100 polarized Zeeman). The results revealed that the mean concentrations were in the order: Ca > Fe > As > Cd > Zn > Pb. The average contents of Ca, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As in the samples were 94.08, 6.15, 0.20, 0.16, 0.36, and 1.66 mg/kg, respectively. All the minerals and heavy metals were below the maximum permissible limits stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and US Pharmacopeia (USP). Metal-to-metal correlation indicated strong correlations between As/Zn, Cd/Zn, Cd/As, and Pb/As pairs. Factor analysis demonstrated a clear separation between minerals, grouped on one side, and heavy metals, clustered on another side. Both the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) levels in green tea were far below 1, suggesting that consumption of green tea should pose no potential risk to human health. However, carcinogenic risk levels for arsenic were high; R > 10(-6). The results showed that residents in Kumasi consume tea could be at risk from exposure to these heavy metals and minerals.
Doi 10.1007/s10661-016-5343-y
Pmid 27154053
Wosid WOS:000376684900016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Camellia sinensis; Black tea; Green tea; Heavy metals; Carcinogenic; Factor analysis