Concentrations of Selected Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fresh and Fried Bayelsa Suya (Oryctes rhinoceros) Sold in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Oryctes rhinoceros larvae is a special cuisine heavily patronized in Bayelsa State and neighboring states of Delta and Rivers in Nigeria. The preparation mode and exposure during sales call for empirical investigation into its chemical and toxicological status. Heavy metals and polycyclic hydrocarbons (PCHs) were the major bioactive substances analyzed in fresh and fried (prepared) forms in the current study. Materials and Methods: The metals were analyzed using AAS, whereas PCH was analyzed using GC-MS. Student t-test was used to compare heavy metals and PCH concentrations between the fresh and fried Bayelsa Suya and with maximum acceptable limits. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v18-21) and Excel, with a 95% significance level determined via Student’s t-test. Results: The results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in lead, mercury, arsenic, zinc, chromium, cadmium and copper concentrations. In contrast, manganese decreased in the fried food compared to the fresh food, which had the maximum acceptable limits. In a similar vein, PCH species such as naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz{b}fluoranthene, benzo(a)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the fried when compared to the fresh. Conclusion:The increase observed in some metals and PCH could be traced to the preparatory stage and sales exposure. The findings of this study underscored the importance of considering the harmful effects of heavy metals and PCH intoxications associated with the consumption of Bayelsa Suya and adherence to food safety measures.