Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Instant Noodles from Local Markets in Benghazi, Libya

Najat Elziani; Reem Ben Ghazi; Maisson  Yaghi

doi:10.51984/jopas.v23i2.3111

Chemistry

Najat Elziani ⁽¹⁾ , Reem Ben Ghazi ⁽²⁾ , Maisson Yaghi ⁽³⁾

(1) Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Benghazi University, Libya ,

(2) Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Benghazi University, Libya ,

(3) Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Benghazi University, Libya

https://doi.org/10.51984/jopas.v23i2.3111

Issue
Vol. 23 No. 2 (2024)

Submitted
April 18, 2024

Published
November 21, 2024

Keywords:

Libyan markets., Noodles., Heavy metals., ICP-MS

PDF

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in various types of instant noodles collected from different markets in Benghazi, Libya. The levels of five metals—cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and tin (Sn)—were measured using a triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results were reported in parts per billion (ppb). The detected ranges of heavy metals in instant noodles were as follows: cadmium (1.75 to 33.63 ppb), chromium (0.46 to 15.47 ppb), lead (2.11 to 47.48 ppb), arsenic (0.22 to 3.54 ppb), and tin (2.01 to 8.04 ppb). The trend of metal concentrations in the noodles was Pb > Cd > Sn > Cr > As. The levels of the selected heavy metals were comparable to data reported in studies conducted in other countries. The heavy metals measured in this study were found to be within the WHO permissible limits, except for Sample No. 2, which showed a cadmium level exceeding the WHO limit. Therefore, long-term consumption of these noodles could lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in the body, posing potential health risks over time.

Full text article

Generated from XML file

References

- Lokeshappa, B. Shivpuri, K. Tripath, V. Dikshit, A.K. (2012). Assessment of toxic metals in agricultural product. Food Pub Heat. 2(1):24–29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5923/j.fph.20120201.05

- Iniobong, A. C., Atieme, J. O., Inimfon, U. A., (2017). Health risk assessment of instant noodles commonly consumed in Port Harcort, Nigeria. Environmental Science Pollution Research, 25: 2580-2587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0583-0

- Onyema, C., Ekpunobi, U., Edowube, A., Odinma, S., Sokwaibe, C., (2014). Quality assessment of common instant noodles sold in Nigeria markets. American Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 5. 1174-1177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ajac.2014.517124

- Fu, B.X., (2008) History, Classification, Raw materials and Processing. Food Research International, 41, 888-890. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2007.11.007

- Hou, G., Kruk, M., (1998). Asian Noodle Technology. Technical Bulletin 20:10.

- International Food Research Journal. 19. 309-313.Zukowska, J. & Biziuk, M., (2008). Methodological Evaluation of Method for Dietary Heavy metal intake. Journal of Food Science, 73, R21-R29.

- Igwe, J.C, Ihesilo, P.O., Nnorom, I.C., (2012). Trace Element Analysis of Forage Samples in Niger Delta of Nigeria. Journal Chemical Society of Nigeria, 37. 93-97.

- Jarup, L., (2003). Hazards of heavy metal contamination. Br Med Bull 68 (1): 167–182. K.I., Inoue, Heavy metal toxicity. J. Clinic. Toxicol. 2013, S3: 007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldg032

- Pasha, Q., Malik, S. A., Shaheen, N., Shah, M. H., (2010). Investigation of trace metals in the blood plasma and scalp hair of gastrointestinal cancer patients in comparison with controls. Clin. Chim. Acta. 411: 531–539. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2010.01.010

- Saini, Y., Greenwood, K. K., Merrill, C., Kim, K. Y., Patial, S., Parameswaran, N., Harkema, J. R., Lapres, J., (2010). Acute cobalt-induced lung injury and the role of hypoxiainducible factor in modulating inflammation. J. Toxicol. Sci. 116: 673–681. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfq155

- Suzuki, M., Takeda, S., Teraoka-Nishitani, N., Yamagata, A., Tanaka, T., Sasaki, M., Yasuda, N., Oda, M., Okano, T., Yamahira, K., Nakamura, Y., (2017). Cadmium-induced malignant transformation of rat liver cells: potential key role and regulatory mechanism of altered apolipoprotein E expression in enhanced invasiveness. Toxicology 382: 16–23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2017.03.014

- Galadima, A., Garba, Z. N., (2012). Heavy metals pollution in Nigeria causes and consequences. Elixir pollution. 45: 7917–7922.

- Inoue, K. I., (2013). Heavy metal toxicity. J. Clinic. Toxicol. S3: 007.

- Sultana, M.S., Rana, S., Yamazaki, S., Aono, T., Yoshida, S., (2017). Health risk assessment for carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic heavy metal exposures from vegetables and fruits of Bangladesh. Cogent Environ. Sci. 3 (1): 1291107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311843.2017.1291107

- Chinnawat S., (2017). The Determination of Heavy Metals Contaminated in Instant Product in Community for Better Quality of Life. International Journal of Advances in Science Engineering and Technology, 5(2).

- Yadav, S.K. (2010). Heavy metals toxicity in plants: An overview on the role of glutathione and phytochelatins in heavy metal stress tolerance of plants. S Afr. J Bot. 76:16–179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2009.10.007

- WHO (1992) Cadmium. Environmental Health Criteria, 134, Geneva.

- Eman, T., Hanaa, I., Samar, A., (2020). Studying the Safety of Instant Noodles Sold in Egyptian Hypermarkets, British Journal of Applied Science & Technology 20 (3) :440-452.

- Nur, S.S., Saliza, M.E., Farhanah, H.Y., Nurhasanah, A. A., (2019). Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, As) Content in Instant Noodles from Malaysian Market. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences. (15). 134-146.

- Odidika C.C., Eboagu N.C., Okonkwo C.P., Oli C.C., Okonkwo T.B. (2020). Analysis of Heavy Metal Content in Selected Noodles Sold in Main Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Open Science Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 7, 26-29

- Chukwuebuka, T. O., Uche, E. E., Augustina, A. Edowube, Stanley Odinma, Chinweotito E. Sokwaibe, (2014). Quality Assessment of Common Instant Noodles Sold in Nigeria Markets. American Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 2014, 51174-1177.

- WHO. World Health Organization Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake of Toxic Heavy Metals. 2003.

- Jothi J.S, Uddin M.B, (2014). Detection Of Heavy Metals in Some Commercial Brands of Noodles. European Academic Research. 10667- 10679.

- MERTZ W., (1967). Biological role of chromium. Federation proceedings. 26: 186–193.

- Rajalakshmi M., Sugumar C., Chirakkal H., and Ramarao S. V., (2014). Influence of chromium propionate on the carcass characteristics and immune response of commercial broiler birds under normal rearing conditions. Poult. Sci. 93: 574–580. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2013-03373

- Gupta S. and Babu B. V., (2010). Experimental Investigations and Theoretical Modeling Aspects in Column Studies for Removal of Cr (VI) from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Tamarind Seeds. J. Water Resour. Prot., 2: 706-716. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2010.28081

- Turdi, M., Yang, L. (2016). Trace elements contamination and human health risk assessment in drinking water from the agricultural and pastoral areas of Bay County, Xinjiang, China. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13(10). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13100938

- Tola ram Group. Instant noodles industry in Nigeria and related issues. Available online: www.lbs.edu.ng/LBSBreakfastClub/. 2012.

- Elsherif, K.M., Kuss, H. M. (2012). Direct and Simultaneous Determination of Bismuth, Antimony, and Lead in Biological samples by Multi Element Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Der ChemicaSinica, 3: 727-736.

- Ali I.H., Aboul-Enein Y., (2015). Instrumental Methods in Metal Ion Speciation, 1st ed., CRC Press / Taylor & Francis, Baco Raton.

- Codex Alimentarius. General Standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed. Codex Stan 193-1995.

- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Some Drinking-Water Disinfectants and Contaminants, Including Arsenic, in: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, vol. 84, ARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), Lyon, France, 2004.

- Zavala Y.J., Duxbury J.M., (2008). Arsenic in rice: I. Estimating normal levels of total arse nic in rice grain, Environ. Sci. Technol. 42 :3856-3860. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es702747y

- Zhu Y.G., Williams P.N., Meharg A.A., (2008). Exposure to inorganic arsenic from rice: a global health issue? Environ. Pollut. 154 :169-171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2008.03.015

- Kakoma F.I.S, Awofolu, O.R., (2021). Contamination And Health Risk Assessment of Instant Noodles by Heavy Metals From Commercial Outlets In Windhoek, Namibia. Afr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev. 21, 18245-18260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.102.19700

- Singh S.K., Ghosh A.K. (2011). Entry of arsenic into food material—A case study. World Appl. Sci. J. 13,385-390.

- Ghaffari M. A. and Motlagh B., (2011). In vitro effect of lead, silver, tin, mercury, indium and bismuth on human sperm creatine kinase activity: a presumable mechanism for men infertility. Iranian Biomedical Journal. 15: 38-43.

- Roney N., Abadin H.G., Fowler B., Pohl H.R., (2011). Metal ions affecting the hematological system. Metal Ions in Life Sciences 8:143-155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/9781849732116-00143

- Browne R. C., Encyclopedia of occupational health and safety. British Journal of Industrial Medicine . 31:75-81 (1974). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.31.1.75

- Nogami H., Shimoda T., Shoji S., Nishima S., (2008).Pulmonary disorders in indium-processing workers. Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 46: 60-64.

- Boniewska-Bernacka E., Man D., Słota R., Broda M.A., (2011).Effect of tin and lead chlorotriphenyl analogues on selected living cells. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology. 25:231-237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.20380

Authors

Najat Elziani

Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Benghazi University

najatomar2@gmail.com (Primary Contact)

Reem Ben Ghazi

Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Benghazi University

Maisson Yaghi

Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Benghazi University

Elziani, N., Ben Ghazi, R., & Yaghi, M. (2024). Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Instant Noodles from Local Markets in Benghazi, Libya . Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences, 23(2), 149–153. https://doi.org/10.51984/jopas.v23i2.3111

Download Citation

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

In a brief statement, the rights relate to the publication and distribution of research published in the journal of the University of Sebha where authors who have published their articles in the journal of the university of Sebha should how they can use or distribute their articles. They reserve all their rights to the published works, such as (but not limited to) the following rights:
- Copyright and other property rights related to the article, such as patent rights.
- Research published in the journal of the University of Sebha and used in its future works, including lectures and books, the right to reproduce articles for their own purposes, and the right to self-archive their articles.
- The right to enter a separate article, or for a non-exclusive distribution of their article with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in the journal of Sebha University.
Privacy Statement The names and e-mail addresses entered on the Sabha University Journal site will be used for the aforementioned purposes only and for which they were used.