Evaluation of Selected Trace Elements in Palm Oil from Ika Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Trace element composition in palm oil samples collected from nine communities in Ika South and Ika North East local government areas of Delta-State were investigated using standard analytical methods, and the concentration of the trace elements were detected using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The elements investigated include Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu and As. Cd were all below detectable limits in all the samples investigated. The values for Zn ranged between 0.84628–7.25522 (mg/L), Pb between 0.00001–0.00286 (mg/L), Ni 0.00005-0.00731 (mg/L), Cu between 0.000052-0.008013 (mg/L) and As 0.00004–0.00052 (mg/L). Zn was above WHO permissible limits in Samples A, C, D, E, G, and I, while other parameters were within the WHO/FAO permissible limits. Generally, palm oil from Ika area do not pose serious health risk associated with heavy metals.