DETECTION OF RESIDUAL POTASSIUM BROMATE CONCENTRATIONS IN BREAD SAMPLES SOLD AT KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Residual Potassium bromate concentration of bread sold in Kano was detected using Spectrophotometric method based on congo red and crystal violet dyes techniques. Three hundred and sixty Bread samples were collected from different selling points from fifteen local government areas, five local government from each Senatorial district of Kano State (Kano Central, Kano North and Kano South). Data for residual potassium bromate concentrations in bread sold within the three senatorial districts of Kano State was expressed as Mean±SD and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance ANOVA and  values were considered significant when p<0.05. Correlations were carried out for the mean levels of residual potassium bromate concentrations of the three senatorial districts. The mean residual potassium bromates levels in the samples analyzed ranged from 38.18-104.9ppm (Gwale-Garko). Statistical analysis showed significant difference (p<0.019)) between Kano South Senatorial District and the two other Senatorial Districts of Kano State. Percentage (%) Compliance and Defaulters of Potassium Bromate in the Three Senatorial District of Kano State shows the highest potassium bromate defaulters to be found in Kano South 39(65.00%) while the highest bromate compliance was found in Kano Central 32(53.3%).  The results revealed that most of the bread samples obtained from Kano South Senatorial District had exceeded the FDA/WHO limit of 50ppm. The contribution of this study to knowledge is that the use of potassium bromate has been a common choice among flour millers and bakers throughout the baking processes affecting the structure and the rheological properties of the dough. As a result, many bakeries use potassium bromate as an additive to assist in the raising process and to produce a texture in the finished product that is appealing to the public. With the high prevalence of cancer and bromate toxicity like vomiting, diarrhea hypotension, anemia, renal dysfunction etc. potassium bromate is still been in use by some bakeries especially in Kano South local government areas due to highest percentage of samples with residual bromate above the permissible limit. It is therefore recommended for the agencies concern to embark on constant monitoring to ensure compliance of non- usage/permissible limit of the banned substance (Potassium bromate).