The concentration and probabilistic health risk assessment of trace metals in three type of sesame seeds using ICP- OES in Iran

ABSTRACT

The most trace metals (essential and toxic metals) in very low concentrations are needed for living organisms, especially humans, but if they exceed the recommended limit, they can lead to toxicity in humans. The aim of this study was to determinate of concentration of 12 trace metals including; aluminium(Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), in 90 samples of sesame seeds from three varieties of black, yellow and white purchased from markets different cities of Iran (2019) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. Also, Probabilistic risk assessment (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was estimated by models include target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR) in the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) model. The recoveries estimated from 94% to 106%. The maximum mean value was obtained for Zn element (1707 ± 22 µg kg⁻¹), while concentrations of Al and Hg were non-detected (ND). The concentration of five toxic metals Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb as average in sesame seed samples were reported as ND, 11.464 ± 1.71, 1.15 ± 0.04, ND and 16.14 ± 1.60 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. Analyzes showed that no significant difference in the amount of trace metals between sesame varieties (black, brown and white). In most of the sesame seed samples, trace metals have been measured at lower levels than the standard limits. The results of MCS showed that the rank order of toxic metals based on 95% THQ index for both adults and children was As > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. The uncertain analysis of human health risk (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) indicated that there is no serious risk (THQ >1 and CR >1E-4) for adults and children by ingestion of sesame seeds.

KEYWORDS:

• Essential metals
• health risk assessment
• ICP-OES
• sesame seed
• toxic metals

Disclosure statement

The authors state that they have not recognized any known financial interests or competitive personal relationships that may appear to affect the work reported.