Distribution Of Heavy Metals In Oil Extracts Of Some Nigerian Foodstuff

ABSTRACT

Technological advancement in this country (Nigeria) has led to an increase in toxic substances discharged into our environment through domestic, Agricultural and Industrial Wastes. Heavy (trace) metals constitute a significant fraction of these wastes. These metals such as copper (Cu), Fickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), etc are absorbed by plants (including oil crops) from soil, they accumulate in various .storage tissues, and when these plants are processed and eaten, the metals get into human systems. This work studied the distribution of these metals n selected oil samples, which include 1ia1m oil, palm kernel oil, groundnut oil, soya bean oil and cotton see oil. The oil samples were dested by wet  oxidation using a mbc.ire of concentrated, sulfuric, salicylic and perchioric acids and themetals determined by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.