EFFECTS OF ALUMINUM FOIL PACKAGING MATERIAL ON THE LEVELS OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN AFRICAN MUD CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) BARBECUE

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of aluminium foil packaging material on the concentrations of aluminium (Al), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in C. gariepinus barbecue. Given growing concerns regarding potential health risks associated with aluminium exposure, this research seeks to ascertain whether the utilization of aluminium foil in packaging influences the metal content in C. gariepinus barbecue. Some C. gariepinus barbecue were collected from four (4) different sources; Uniben, Ekosodin, Uselu and Isihor. Fresh raw samples were also extracted from the catfish before preparation, this served as the control, and then the remaining samples were collected after preparation. Employing advanced analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), the analysis identified & quantified aluminium (Al), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the C. gariepinus barbecue sampled. The findings revealed that catfish barbecue packed in aluminium foil exhibited higher concentrations of aluminium (0.06±0.75mg/kg) compared to the fresh samples (0.03±0.05mg/kg). It was also observed that samples packed in aluminium foil revealed higher lead (Pb) concentrations (0.14±0.13mg/kg) than those of the fresh samples (0.05±0.06mg/kg). There was no data on the leaching of cadmium in both fresh and packed samples. Considering the recommended weekly intake of Al being 2mg/kg/body weight and that lead, has no recommendation due to its high levels of toxicity, it can stated from this study that the levels of aluminium leached can be considered safe, but that of lead has significant impact on health if intake is continuous over a long period. This suggests that aluminium foil packaging contributes significantly to heavy metal contamination in catfish barbecue.