Red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) is an excellent source of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals crucial for human nutrition. The present study was carried out to assess the mineral and heavy metal concentration and human health risk through the intake of red amaranth collected from Bhabadah water-logging area of Khulna Division in Bangladesh. A total of 24 red amaranth samples were collected from 24 different locations. Average concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium and sodium were 0.90 ± 0.46%, 0.24 ± 0.06%, 0.56 ± 0.14%, 2.22 ± 0.75%, 1.39 ± 0.51% and 0.11 ± 0.10%, respectively. Phosphorus and calcium concentration were the highest in Damukhali area. The concentration ranges of zinc, lead, cadmium and copper were 26.48 - 172.24, trace - 46.41, trace -0.63 and 7.74 - 32.58 μg g-1, respectively. Chromium was detected in red amaranth samples collected from only two locations. The most studied essential nutrients were at the optimum level in the collected samples for human nutrition. The survey data and the analytical data expressed that the daily metal intake (DMI) of both male and female were higher than that of upper permissible limit indicating that serious adverse effects that might be linked to the intake of red amaranth of the study area. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) data showed Pb in an alarming amount to cause carcinogenesis. Target hazard quotients (THQ) of lead (Pb) was 6.550 for female (THQ> 5.00) indicating that the exposed population is unsafe and for male was 4.179 (1 < THQ < 5) indicating that the exposed population is at a level of concern interval. Food chain contamination by heavy metals through an elevated level of Pb in red amaranth of Bhabadah area is evident through this research and immediate action should be taken to ensure food safety.
Key words: Bhabadah, DMI, heavy metal accumulation, red amaranth, THQ
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