Levels and daily intake of lead (Pb) and six essential elements in gari samples from Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria: A potential risk factor of health status

• Levels of Pb, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Fe and Ca were determined in gari samples.
• The samples were collected in four major cities in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria.
• The estimated elemental daily intakes were compared to recommended dietary intake.
• Gari consumption could result in elevated lead level in the body.
• Gari is a good source of Mn, Co and Cu but not rich in Zn, Fe and Ca.

Gari, a staple food in most West African countries is a processed product of cassava plant. It supplies about 70% of the daily calorie intake in these countries. In this study, levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in gari samples that were collected from four major Nigerian cities: Akure, Ondo, Isua and Ore – all located in Ondo State, Southwest, Nigeria were determined. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of these elements were determined and compared to the recommended dietary intake limits or requirements. The mean concentrations of Pb in gari samples was 0.16 ± 0.09 mg/kg while for essential elements the concentrations were 4.13 ± 0.95, 0.00497 ± 0.00078, 12.98 ± 1.48, 1.01 ± 0.47, 512.6 ± 9.12 and 23.22 ± 2.32 mg/kg for Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Ca and Fe, respectively. The mean estimated dietary intakes were 0.0333 ± 0.00443, 0.88 ± 0.21, 1.06 ± 0.36, 0.00278 ± 0.00068, 0.22 ± 0.04, 109.7 ± 4.22 and 4.97 ± 1.07 mg/day for Pb, Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Ca and Fe respectively. The estimated mean Pb dietary intake from gari consumption alone was almost the same as the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) for Pb, thus inferring that dietary route is a potential source of Pb contamination for gari consumers in Southwest Nigerian. Also, the data from this study indicated that gari is a good source of some essential elements like Mn, Co, and Cu but not exceptionally rich in Zn, Fe and Ca. It is therefore recommended that gari diets should be complemented with other food substances like beef, vegetables and low fat cheese that are good sources of the deficient elements.