ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Heavy Metal Concentrations in Selected
Herbal Drinks Sold in Abeokuta, Ogun State,
and Their Toxicological Risk Assessment
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1
Department of Chemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
2
Department of Chemistry, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
3
Department of Biological Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
Submission date: 2023-12-02
Final revision date: 2024-02-22
Acceptance date: 2024-05-14
Online publication date: 2024-09-02
Corresponding author
Olayinka Oyewale Ajani
Department of Chemistry. College of Science and Technology (CST), Covenant University, Km 10, Idiroko Road, Pmb 1023, 23401, Ota, Nigeria
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ABSTRACT
Herbal beverages are one of the most popular drinks in Africa, especially in Nigeria. Nevertheless,
most herbal beverages do not adhere to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. This study
aims to examine the levels of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in selected herbal beverages and their
toxicological risk assessment in children and adults in Abeokuta. Ten (10) samples of herbal drinks were
obtained from vendors and delivered to the chemistry laboratory for examination. 20 mL of each herbal
sample was digested using the standard method and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for PTM
estimation. The study’s findings revealed a higher level of cadmium (Cd) in Black Horse, Action, Jigijigi,
and Ogbonge (0.007±0.001, 0.005±0.001, 0.006±0.001and 0.004±0.000 mg/L), Iron (Fe) in Otoge
and Kondo (11.1±0.107 and 1.83±0.089 mg/L), Manganese (Mn) in Otoge, Kondo, Jigi-jigi, Jaye, and
Ogbonge (0.060±0.008, 0.123±0.014, 0.080±0.010, 0.134±0.015, and 0.070±0.009 mg/L) than the WHO
limit, while none of the herbal beverages contained copper (Cu). Iron (Fe) appears to be the most dosed
metal, while the child population is more vulnerable to PTM exposure according to the average daily
intake. The studied PTMs showed a negligible non-carcinogenic risk (<1) based on human health risk
evaluations. Hence, the study offers pertinent data for evaluating the indirect consumption of PTMs
through their availability in regularly consumed herbal drinks in Abeokuta and its environs.