Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in some roasted food delicacies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

The concentrations of sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in some roasted food delicacies (plantain and fish) consumed within Port Harcourt metropolis using Gas chromatography fitted with flame ionization detection. Appreciable amount of Acenaphthene (1.450 mgkg^-1); Flourene (0.456 – 2.021 mgkg^-1); Anthracene (1.445 mgkg^-1); Pyrene (1.235 - 1.346 mgkg^-1); Chrysene (0.448- 2.122 mgkg^-1); Benzo (k) fluoranthrene (0.036 – 2.531 mgkg^-1); Benzo (b) flouranthrene (0.285 mgkg^-1) were detected in roasted plantain samples. In the roasted fish samples the detected PAHs were Flourene (2.642 – 3.554 mgkg^-1); Anthracene (2.604 – 4.526 mgkg^-1); Pyrene (1.371 - 1402 mgkg^-1); Chrysene (2.106 – 3.348 mgkg^-1); Benzo (b) flouranthrene (0.285mgkg^-1). None of the priority PAHs was detected in the raw plantain sample. However substantial amount of Benzo (k) fluoranthrene (0.020 mgkg^-1) was detected in the fresh fish. Continual consumption of these foods may consequently put the several consumers at potential health risk.

Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Health risk; roasted, carcinogenic and genotoxic