Health Risk and Toxicological Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Damaged ‎Bouillon Cubes Consumed in Nigeria A Case Study of Funtua, Katsina State

  • Authors

    • Aminu Mustapha Department of Pure and industrial chemistry, Faculty of Physical Science, Bayero ‎university, Kano
    • Kabir rawayau Zainab Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Dutsinma
    • Halliru Musa Department of chemistry, school of sciences, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria
    https://doi.org/10.14419/p5rn4366

    Received date: August 28, 2025

    Accepted date: October 27, 2025

    Published date: November 6, 2025

  • Assessment; Bouillon Cubes; Cancer Risk; Estimated Daily Intake; Heavy Metals; Hazard ‎Index; Hazard Quotient

  • Abstract

    The safety and suitability of food additives for human consumption are largely dependent on ‎their chemical composition.‎

    This study assessed heavy metal contamination in damaged bouillon cubes (Maggi, Knorr, ‎Royco, and Onga) from Funtua LGA using Microwave plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (MP-AES), and the potential health risks associated with the consumption of these damaged cubes were also evaluated. ‎Concentrations ranged from 2.21–4.24 mg/kg (Cd), 1.01–3.01 mg/kg (Co), 1.01–2.21 mg/kg ‎‎(Ni), 2.21–6.20 mg/kg (Pb), and 0.21–0.56 mg/kg (Zn), with all except Zn exceeding ‎FAO/WHO limits. Estimated daily intakes(EDIs) for Cd, Co, Ni, and Zn were above USEPA tolerable values, while Hazard quotients‎HQs were <1. However, Hazard indices HI exceeded 1 in Maggi and Royco, and  Cancer risk (CR) values for all metals ‎were above the USEPA acceptable risk range, indicating possible carcinogenic risk. No ‎significant variation was observed among brands (p > 0.05). These findings suggest potential ‎public health hazards from the consumption of damaged bouillon cubes, warranting stricter ‎regulation and monitoring‎.

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  • How to Cite

    Mustapha, A., Zainab, K. rawayau, & Musa, H. . (2025). Health Risk and Toxicological Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Selected Damaged ‎Bouillon Cubes Consumed in Nigeria A Case Study of Funtua, Katsina State. International Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 13(2), 9-15. https://doi.org/10.14419/p5rn4366