Mineral compositions and health risk assessment of Date fruit (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>) sold in Dutse, Jigawa-Nigeria.

Abstract

Date fruits (Phoenix-dactylifera) consumption has significant human health benefits due to the presence of minerals and other constituents. The fruits may be contaminated during transportation and possibly storage. This research aimed at exploring the mineral contents and health risk associated with intake of date fruits sold in Dutse, Jigawa State-Nigeria. The Date fruit sample was obtained from market and scientifically identified. The sample was shade dried and crushed into powder, and the mineral’s content of Date fruits (Dan Jigawa) was determined using standard procedure. A mean level of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorous was observed in Dan Jigawa Date fruits as 0.04±0.00, 0.79±0.02, 4.71 ±0.06, 10.00± 0.24mg/kg. The Iron, Copper, Zinc, Manganase and Cobalt levels were 0.47±0.01, 0.68±0.04, 1.45±0.01, 0.61±0.05 and 0.17±0.01mg/kg respectively. The health risk assessment (non-carcinogenic): Iron, copper, zinc, Manganase and Cobalt) showed that all the hazard quotients (HQ) is below 1, with Target Hazard Quotient(THQ) of 0.962, signifying the safety of Dan Jigawa dates fruit cultivar.