Assessment Of Heavy Metal Contamination Of Fufu Processed In Umudike:- Dike Chidinma S

ABSTRACT FUFU is a staple food in many homes of West African countries. It is a fermented wet paste peeled cassava roots in water to ferment for a maximum of three days depending on ambient temperature. The fufu samples mercury) levels using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. These metals were found to be high with mean values of 0.61, 0.34, 0.35, and 0.35 when compared to the WHO recommended values 0.20, 0.10, 0.02, and 0.10 mg/kg respectively. This study indicates that fufu processed in Umudike contain high levels of these metals and this may be harvested from Umudike to finished product(fufu). This effect may cause several diseases on individuals who ingest this fufu particularly children. Therefore it is advised that intake of fufu adverse effects when at high concentration. viii from this area should be reduced to avoid accu