Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa
Consumption of aphrodisiacs is a common practice in South Africa. Hence, determining the levels of trace metals as potential pollutants is necessary to protect consumers’ health. The current study reports a health risk assessment due to metals in aphrodisiacs collected from herbal markets in Johanne...
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2148 |
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| author | Siphesihle Dube Nkosinathi Makhubela Lawrence Mzukisi Madikizela Nkoana Ishmael Mongalo Vusumzi Emmanuel Pakade Bethusile Rejoice Maseko Somandla Ncube |
| author_facet | Siphesihle Dube Nkosinathi Makhubela Lawrence Mzukisi Madikizela Nkoana Ishmael Mongalo Vusumzi Emmanuel Pakade Bethusile Rejoice Maseko Somandla Ncube |
| author_sort | Siphesihle Dube |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Consumption of aphrodisiacs is a common practice in South Africa. Hence, determining the levels of trace metals as potential pollutants is necessary to protect consumers’ health. The current study reports a health risk assessment due to metals in aphrodisiacs collected from herbal markets in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. Samples were digested using microwave-assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry analysis. The results showed that the concentrations of common metals (Na, K, Mg, and Ca) were within the guideline limits for human consumption, while the trace metals (Ni, Cr, Co, As, Cd, and Pb) were above the limits, recording values of 0.132–0.268, 0.209–0.308, 0.224–0.405, 0.0884–0.230, 0.0402–1.11, and 0.146–0.207 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The source of the trace metals was traced to the tap water probably collected from dilapidated buildings where the water systems are ailing. A strong correlation for metals with similar sources was observed, notably for Pb and Cd that leach from water pipes. The aphrodisiacs had low consumption rates, and the health risk assessment gave a hazard quotient of 0.225 as a total for all studied metals. The group of aphrodisiacs investigated in the current study therefore poses minimal health risks and can be consumed without fear of metal contamination. More inclusive studies are, however, needed to have a better understanding of aphrodisiacs with the aim of potentially commercializing them like the other commercialized herbal concoctions currently distributed in South African markets and pharmacies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:12:39Z |
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| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:12:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-1592d8596fee43b39daf1c66ca3e46be2023-11-16T18:51:34ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-02-01134214810.3390/app13042148Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South AfricaSiphesihle Dube0Nkosinathi Makhubela1Lawrence Mzukisi Madikizela2Nkoana Ishmael Mongalo3Vusumzi Emmanuel Pakade4Bethusile Rejoice Maseko5Somandla Ncube6Department of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, South AfricaDepartment of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, South AfricaInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Roodepoort 1710, South AfricaCAES Laboratories, Department of Agricultural Sciences, College of Environmental Science and Agriculture, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Roodepoort 1710, South AfricaDepartment of Biotechnology and Chemistry, Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag X 021, Vanderbijlpark 1911, South AfricaDepartment of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, South AfricaDepartment of Chemistry, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South AfricaConsumption of aphrodisiacs is a common practice in South Africa. Hence, determining the levels of trace metals as potential pollutants is necessary to protect consumers’ health. The current study reports a health risk assessment due to metals in aphrodisiacs collected from herbal markets in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. Samples were digested using microwave-assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry analysis. The results showed that the concentrations of common metals (Na, K, Mg, and Ca) were within the guideline limits for human consumption, while the trace metals (Ni, Cr, Co, As, Cd, and Pb) were above the limits, recording values of 0.132–0.268, 0.209–0.308, 0.224–0.405, 0.0884–0.230, 0.0402–1.11, and 0.146–0.207 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The source of the trace metals was traced to the tap water probably collected from dilapidated buildings where the water systems are ailing. A strong correlation for metals with similar sources was observed, notably for Pb and Cd that leach from water pipes. The aphrodisiacs had low consumption rates, and the health risk assessment gave a hazard quotient of 0.225 as a total for all studied metals. The group of aphrodisiacs investigated in the current study therefore poses minimal health risks and can be consumed without fear of metal contamination. More inclusive studies are, however, needed to have a better understanding of aphrodisiacs with the aim of potentially commercializing them like the other commercialized herbal concoctions currently distributed in South African markets and pharmacies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2148aphrodisiacherbal concoctionhealth risk assessmentmetal analysislead |
| spellingShingle | Siphesihle Dube Nkosinathi Makhubela Lawrence Mzukisi Madikizela Nkoana Ishmael Mongalo Vusumzi Emmanuel Pakade Bethusile Rejoice Maseko Somandla Ncube Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa Applied Sciences aphrodisiac herbal concoction health risk assessment metal analysis lead |
| title | Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa |
| title_full | Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa |
| title_short | Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa |
| title_sort | health risk assessment of metals in african aphrodisiacs a case study of aqueous concoctions from johannesburg and durban herbal markets south africa |
| topic | aphrodisiac herbal concoction health risk assessment metal analysis lead |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2148 |
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