ASSESMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN JAGGERY (MASARKWAILA) SOLD IN MUBI, ADAMAWA STATE

ABSTRACT This research work was carried out in Mubi metropolis aimed at determining the concentrations of heavy metals; Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu),Zinc( Zn ),Cadmium(Cd),Iron(Fe) and Chromium (Cr) in jiggery(masarkwaila) sold in Mubi metropolis. Jaggery samples were randomly collected from roadside vendors. A total of three samples was collected in triplicate from four different vendors labeled (A, B, C and D) and placed in a polythene bag and transported to the laboratory under controlled conditions to prevent contamination. Using (AAS) Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The obtained heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using statistical tools such as SPSS. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) was used to summarize the data. The result revealed that, the concentrations of heavy metals varied across vendors in Mubi Metropolis. For Pb, the values were statistically similar across all sites, with the highest concentration recorded in Sample D (0.0045 mg/kg) and the lowest in Sample A (0.0034 mg/kg). A similar non-significant trend was observed for Zn, where Sample C had the highest value (0.5067 mg/kg) and Sample A the lowest (0.3783 mg/kg). In contrast, Cd showed significant variation, with the highest concentration in Sample B (0.0069 mg/kg) and the lowest in Sample C (0.0048 mg/kg). Likewise, Fe varied significantly, with Sample B (6.1950 mg/kg) showing the highest concentration, while the lowest was observed in Sample A (3.4817 mg/kg). Cu also exhibited significant differences, with Sample A recording the lowest value (0.2917 mg/kg) and Sample D the highest (1.0250 mg/kg). For Cr, the differences were not statistically significant, although the highest Concentration occurred in Sample C (0.2000 mg/kg) and the lowest in Sample B (0.0635 mg/kg). , the estimated daily intake and hazard quotients of Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Cu, and Cr were all below 1, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic risk associated with the consumption of 10 g/day by an average 50 kg adult. While cadmium, iron, and chromium showed relatively higher HQ values compared to other metals, their levels remain within safe margins. The study concluded that the Jaggery consumed within the study area is generally safe with respect to heavy metal contamination