Mineral and Heavy Metal Content of Nigerian Dishes

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the mineral and heavy metal composition of twenty standardized dishes commonly consumed in Nigeria. Twenty standardized dishes more frequently consumed were cooked in triplicate and their major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P) and trace elements (Se, Mn, Pb, Cd) content were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry by standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2005). Dry weights varied from 18.33 ± 0.20 to 63.77 ± 0.30% fresh matter. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and potassium contents expressed in mg/100 g ranged from 45.96 ± 0.33 to 421.94 ± 0.56, 20.56 ± 0.64 to 309.77 ± 2.89, 38.34 ± 0.81 to 270.32 ± 4.21, 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.45 ± 0.01, and 413.17 ± 0.63 to 654.21 ± 4.87 mg/100 g, respectively. Their sodium, manganese, lead, and cadmium contents were between 16.86 ± 0.28 and 67.54 ± 2.10 mg/100 g, 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/100 g, 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.65 ± 0.05, and 0.01 ± 0.01 and 0.28 ± 0.01 mg/ 100 g, respectively. There were statistically significant (p £ 0.5) differences in the mean values of all the parameters determined. Most of these recipes could adequately contribute to dietary minerals intake in most of the recipes.

Lipid composition of some commonly consumed traditional Nigerian dishes

“…(), Onabanjo & Oguntona () and Onabanjo et al . (, ) quantified the proximate, minerals (macro and micro) and phytate and vitamin contents of some standardised Nigerian dishes, there is still a dearth of information especially on the lipid profile of these major Nigerian dishes. In view of the above, the present study attempted to determine the total lipid, total triacylglycerol, dietary cholesterol and FFA contents of standardised Nigerian dishes to further bridge the gap and provide detailed information for a more detailed food composition data that nutritionists and dietitians can use effectively when planning menus and calculating dietary intakes of population groups in Nigeria.…”