Heavy Metals Analysis of Selected Analgesic Syrups in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Some heavy metals have bio-importance as trace elements but the biotoxic effects of many of them in human biochemistry are of great concern. Hence, there is a need for proper understanding of mechanism involved, such as the concentrations and oxidation states, which make them harmful. This study determined the physical parameters and the mean concentrations of some heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Ca) in some analgesic syrups. The heavy metals presence in the syrups were estimated by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after digestion. All analyses were repeated three times for each sample and the mean concentration of the heavy metals taken. The physical parameters showed that the syrups are of red colour, which had a clear solution with sweet tastes. They also gave different pH and density range values. The level of nickel in the samples ranges from 0.49mg/l to 4.12mg/l, cadmium concentration ranges from 1.1mg/l to 3.5mg/l and chromium ranges from 0.04mg/l to 0.49mg/l. The concentration of zinc ranged from 0.04mg/l to 0.67mg/l, lead ranged from -0.1mg/l to 0.7mg/l and mercury concentration ranges from 0.23mg/l to 0.91mg/l. Calcium concentration was not detected in the four samples studied. The concentrations of the studied metals were lower than the W.H.O standard limits, hence the studied syrups are safe for human consumption.