Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of heavy metals in selected infant formula in the Nigerian Market

摘要

Eight(8) selected Infant formula from the Nigerian market were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry to assess the level of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, and Mn) in them. The pH of the samples range from pH 6.4 -6.8. The quality assurance for the digestion method was verified by recovery studies which result range is: 91-98. The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples ranged from 0.08-0.23 μgg- 1, 0.05-0.40 μgg-1, 0.09-0.48μgg-1, 0.85-10.21 μgg-1, 6.82-17.19 μgg-1, 0.36-1.00 μgg-1,0.04-0.28 μgg-1, and 0.14- 3.09 μgg-1, for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co and Mn respectively. The result of elemental analysis indicates that the order of abundance of metals in the infant food as follow Zn Cu Mn Cr Ni Cd Co Pb. The levels of the metals in the samples were less than acceptable limits in foods as specified in international guidelines.