Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Levels in selected Soup Thickeners Marketed in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study investigated the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration in selected soup thickeners marketed in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Three commonly consumed soup thickeners (ukpo, ofor and achi) were purchased from Swali market in Yenagoa Bayelsa State and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The chosen thickeners were so selected because of heir high rates of usage for making indigenous white soup and ‘fisher man soup’ that are popular meals in Bayelsa state. The objective of this research was to ascertain the safety of the selected soup thickeners through the analysis in them for PAHs contents. Sample extraction was done using dichloromethane and PAHs concentrations were determined by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). The FID is so chosen because it is a sensitive chromatographic method to molecules that are ionized in a hydrogen-air flame, including most carbon-contaning compounds. Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and significant differences were determined (p<0.05). PAHs detected in the samples in varying concentrations include naphthalene, acenapthylene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene, anthracene and benzopyrene. The results were as follows: ukpo- (naphthalene-12.69±0.24 mg/kg, acenapthylene 8.17±0.01 mg/kg, fluorene-3.55±0.18 mg/kg, phenanthrene-6.10±0.08 mg/kg, pyrene-2.45±0.11 mg/kg, chrysene-4.27±0.13 mg/kg), ofor-(acenapthylene-22.21±0.29 mg/kg, fluorene-18.60±0.32 mg/kg, phenanthrene-14.11±0.03 mg/kg, pyrene-17.26±0.16 mg/kg, chrysene-13.85±0.17 mg/kg) and achi-(naphthalene-15.47±0.00 mg/kg, acenapthylene-28.07±0.00 mg/kg, pyrene-19.79±0.00 mg/kg, chrysene-22.06±0.00 mg/kg, anthracene-23.48±0.00 mg/kg, benzopyrene-11.86 mg/kg). There are USEPA guidelines for the minimal acceptable levels of these PAHs. The findings of this study indicate that soup thickeners marketed in Yenagoa Bayelsa State contained varying concentrations of PAHs. Consumers are therefore advised to consume these soup thickeners with caution due to the toxic effects of PAHs to the body. Soups form an integral component of the food of most Nigerians and in Yenagoa, several indigenous soups are prepared using a wide range of ingredients including soup thickeners such as achi, ofor and ukpo. PAHs are known to be harmful to humans some of which are carcinogenic, thus the general public are therefore advised to consume these soup thickeners purchased from Swali market in moderation so that they are not predisposed to long-term harmful effects of PAHs. Future research based on the current findings could be carried on as concerns the interactions of PAHs with functional components of the selected soup thickeners.