Contamination of Aflatoxins and Selected Heavy Metals in Commercially Available Traditional Herbal Medicines in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Authors

Frank P. Fovo, University of Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Esther F. Mvung, University of Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Abstract

This study assesses the contamination of mycoflora, aflatoxins and selected heavy metals (Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Lead) (Pb) in traditional herbal medicines commercially available in Dar es Salaam. Samples were collected from registered traditional healers in three districts: Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke. Fungal load were assessed using the pour plate technique, whereas aflatoxins and heavy metals were analysed using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The toxin levels obtained were high compared to the permissible levels reported in the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The fungal load in the sampled herbal materials did not vary significantly with districts (p > 0.05). The total aflatoxin contamination was 32.5%, 27.5% and 45.0% of the samples collected from Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke districts, respectively. With the exception of Kinondoni district, aflatoxin B1 -- which is the most potent compared to other types -- were recorded in 37.5% and 10% of the samples collected from Ilala and Temeke districts, respectively. The concentration levels were above the permissible limits of 0.015 ppm. On the other hand, samples collected from all districts had variable levels of heavy metal contaminations. Of all metals studied, iron was the most common, and one with the highest concentration in all districts: the highest mean concentration of 1080.4 ± 268.3 mg/kg being reported in Ilala; and the lowest mean of 492.4 ± 175.5 mg/kg being recorded in Kinondoni. The second most abundant heavy metal was zinc, and the least was lead with the highest mean of 3.58 ± 0.41 mg/kg recorded in Ilala. The study findings indicate that the quality of herbal medicines available in Dar es Salaam markets is relatively poor, therefore quality control mechanisms are recommended before the products are allowed in the market to safeguard consumers.

Recommended Citation

P. Fovo, Frank and F. Mvung, Esther (2022) "Contamination of Aflatoxins and Selected Heavy Metals in Commercially Available Traditional Herbal Medicines in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania," Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 10 : No. 6 , Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v10.i6.6

Publication Date

3-10-2022

DOI

10.56279/jhss.v10.i6.6

Publisher

Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE)