Analysis of some heavy metals in foodstuffs contaminated with pesticides using a developed spot-test method

Authors

  • E. K. Ukpoko
    Chemistry Department, Joseph Sarwuaan Tarka University Makurdi, Nigeria
  • I. S. Eneji
    Chemistry Department, Joseph Sarwuaan Tarka University Makurdi, Nigeria
  • Q. M. Amua
    Department of Natural Sciences, British Canadian University Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria
  • R. A. Wuana
    Environmental Standard Sustainability Department, Joseph Sarwuaan Tarka University Makurdi, Nigeria

Keywords:

Contaminants , Foodstuffs , Metallic , Pesticides, Spot-tests

Abstract

The need for food security is a call for a simple and quick spot-test that can be used for the detection of contaminated grains and foodstuffs. Mostly, stored grain foodstuffs contained heavy metals due to metallic pesticides applied against pest infestation and environmental metallic contact during production processes. Foodstuffs samples of white beans, red Guinea corn, and white maize corn were purchased from five markets in Makurdi Town. Pesticide residues were extracted from the samples with hot, distilled, and deionized water in a pressure hot water extraction system (PHWES), respectively. The water extract was used to assess the presence of metallic pesticide contents of some heavy metals with the spot-tests developed. The results show that the water extract from grain foodstuffs contained Al, Fe, and Zn in almost all the samples. This could be a result of the predominant use of metallic pesticides like aluminium phosphide insecticide for the storage of grain foodstuffs. The spot-test developed is a simple and veritable technique for checking metallic pesticides as contaminants on/in foodstuffs at the preventive stage. This spot-test will help to curtail the consumption of metallic pesticides from grain foodstuffs.

Dimensions

[1] World Health Organization (WHO), “Guidelines for the safe use of waster water excreta and greywater”, Excreta and Greywater Use in Agriculture 4 (2006) 1. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241546859.

[2] Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Lead exposure - level 3 risk, Global Health Mertics, 2021. https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/diseases-injuries-risks/factsheets/2021-lead-exposure-level-3-risk’.

[3] W. A. Franke, Quick assays in mineral identification: a guide to experiments for mineral collectors and geoscientists in field work, Freie Universitat Berlin, 2021. https://www.geo.fu-berlin.de/geol/fachrichtungen/geochemhydromin/mineralogie/pdf/quickassay.pdf.

[4] S. Ghosh, S. S. AlKafaas, C. Bornman, W. Apollon, A. M. Hussien, A. E. Badawy, M. H. Amer, M. B. Kamel, E. A. Mekawy & H. Bedair, “The application of rapid test paper technology for pesticide detection in horticulture crops: a comprehensive review”, Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 11 (2022) 73. https://bjbas.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43088-022-00248-6.

[5] C. Xu, Y. Dong, Z. Ren, H. Jiang & X. Yu, “Sensor deployment for pipeline leakage detection via optimal boundary control strategies”, Industrial & Management Optimization 11 (2015) 199. https://doi.org/10.3934/jimo.2015.11.199.

[6] T. Zhou, J. J. Liu, Y. Xu & Z. Y. Wu, “Fast and sensitive screening detection of tetracyclines with a paper-based analytical device”, Microchemical Journal 145 (2019) 703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2018.10.022.

[7] S. Garcia, “DC Beat—2016 Elections: outlook for drinking water”, Journal - American Water Works Association 109 (2017) 27. https://doi.org/10.5942/jawwa.2017.109.0006.

[8] B. T. Pii, R. A. Wuana & S. Nwafor, “Survey of common pesticides used in storage of agricultural produce within Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria”, Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research Published 3 (2019) 1. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajacr/2019/v3i130082.

[9] O. Udegbunam, 80% of pesticides used by some Nigerian farmers ‘highly hazardous’: women who used the products reported health problems and a new report wants the government to regulate the chemicals, Premium Times, 2022. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/562484-80-of-pesticides-used-by-some-nigerian-farmers-highly-hazardous.html?tztc=1.

[10] M. D. Webber, R. I. Pietz, T. C. Granato & M. L. Swobota, “Plant uptake of PCBs and other organic contaminations from sludge-treated coal refuse”, Journal of Environmental Quality 23 (1994) 1019. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1994.00472425002300050024x.

[11] J.Winpenny, I. Heinz, S. Koo-Oshima, M. Salgot, J. Collado, F. H´ernandez & R. Torricelli, Reutilizaci´on del agua en agricultura: ¿beneficios para Todos? [Water reuse in agriculture: beneficial to all?], Food and Agriculture Organization, 2013. https://www.fao.org/4/i1629s/i1629s.pdf.

[12] R. K. Chauhan, “Physico-chemical analysis of untreated sewage water of Ladwa town of Kurukshetra district of Haryana and need of waste water treatment plant”, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 3 (2014) 326. http://www.ijcmas.com/vol-3-3/Ravish%20Kumar%20Chauhan.pdf.

[13] R. C. Abah & B. M. Petja, “Socio-economic factors agricultural development in the lower River Benue Basin”, Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 5 (2015) 84. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301290441.

[14] V. C. Okezie, E. H. Odeke, M. Otori & U. I. Idio, “Physicochemical and elemental properties of the discharged wastewater from a brewery industry”, International Journal of Engineering Science Invention 9 (2020) 9. https://www.ijesi.org/papers/Vol(9)i2/Series-1/B0902010916.pdf.

[15] S. Soares, K. G. Torres, E. Pimentel, P. B. Martelli & F. R. P. Rocha, “A novel spot test based on digital images for determination of methanol in biodiesel”, Talanta 195 (2020) 229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2019.104273.

[16] S. Teepoo, U. Wongtongdee & P. Phapugrangkul, “Development of qualitative and quantitative immunochromatographic strip test assay for rapid and simple detection of leucomalachite green residual in aquatic animals”, Food Chemistry 320 (2020) 126613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126613.

[17] M. T. Dom´enech-Carb´o & A. Dom´enech-Carb´o, “Spot tests: past and present”, ChemTexts 8 (2021) 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40828-021-00152-z.

[18] S. Soares & F. R. Rocha, “Spot test for determination of uric acid in saliva by smartphone-based digital images: a new proposal for detecting kidney dysfunctions”, Microchemical Journal 188 (2023)108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2023.108461.

[19] K. P. Singh, D. Mohan, S. Sinha & R. Dalwani, “Impact assessment of treated/untreated wastewater toxicants discharged by sewage treatment plants on health, agricultural, and environmental quality in the wastewater disposal area”, Chemosphere 55 (2004) 227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2003.10.050.

[20] European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, A sustainable food system for the European Union, Scientific Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA), Berlin, 2020. https://scientificadvice.eu/advice/a-sustainable-food-system-for-the-european-union/.

[21] J. G. Schwemberger, Chemical spot test kits for testing for lead-based paint, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Science Inventory, 2020. https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?Lab=OPPT&dirEntryID=81666.

[22] B. J. Deans, J, Just, J. A. Smith & A. C. Bissember, “Development and applications of water-based extraction methods in natural products isolation chemistry”, Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry 9 (2020) 1144. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajoc.202000210.

Published

2025-03-24

How to Cite

Analysis of some heavy metals in foodstuffs contaminated with pesticides using a developed spot-test method. (2025). African Scientific Reports, 4(1), 248. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2025.4.1.248

Issue

Volume 4, Issue 1, April 2025

Section

CHEMISTRY SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2025 E. K. Ukpoko, I. S. Eneji, Q. M. Amua, R. A. Wuana

Creative Commons License

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

How to Cite

Analysis of some heavy metals in foodstuffs contaminated with pesticides using a developed spot-test method. (2025). African Scientific Reports, 4(1), 248. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2025.4.1.248

Similar Articles

1-10 of 13

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)