Comparative Analysis of Some Trace Element Contents of Staple Cereals Grown in Plateau State, North-central Nigeria

Abstract

Cereals account for more than half of the staple foods of the population in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Elemental composition of foodstuffs varies according to genetic and environmental factors, with environment playing a greater role for the crop type. In this study, four trace elements were determined in four staple cereal foodstuffs consumed in North-Central Nigeria with a view to comparing them. The cereals studied were Oryza sativa (rice), Zea mays (maize), Sorghum bicolor (guinea corn) and Eleusine coracana (finger millet). Mineral concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Data obtained were statistically analysed by the Student’s t-test. Guinea corn has the highest elemental composition with zinc been the most abundant of the elements, occurring at 0.3690±0.0007 mg/100g; followed by millet with Fe occurring at 0.2740±0.0004mg/100g. Copper was the least abundant trace element found in the cereals; occurring at 0.0006±0.0002mg/100g in millet, followed by 0.0012±0.0001mg/100g in rice. Moreover, it was discovered that the levels of trace elements in all the cereals (except Zn in guinea corn) studied were lower than the FAO/WHO dietary requirements; the estimated average requirement, EAR; and also the recommended daily allowance, RDA. It was concluded that the studied population might be at risk of deficiencies of these elements.