Quantification of arsenic and phosphorus levels in some commonly consumed fruits (banana, mangoes, and plantain) obtained from the Birnin-Kebbi Central Market is presented. Three sets of fruits (one set of ripened fruits and three unripe fruits) were collected. One set of unripe fruit was ripened using natural methods, while the other set was ripened in the laboratory using CaC2. Thus, the untreated served as control. The result of the analysis showed high concentrations of arsenic in the range 0.356 ± 0.005 to 0.86 ± 0.004 mg/kg and phosphorus in the range 3.23 ± 0.25 – 4.87 ± 0.041 mg/kg in the fruits marketed in Birnin-Kebbi Market. For mango, the concentrations of arsenic and phosphorus were lower on the peel (0.294 ± 0.006 and 4.38 ± 0.035 mg/kg respectively) than on the flesh (0.86 ± 0.004 and 4.87 ± 0.041 mg/kg respectively). However, for banana higher arsenic and phosphorus levels were observed on the peel (0.510 ± 0.43 and 4.23 ± 0.17 mg/kg for respectively) than on the flesh 0.42 ± 0.004 and 4.48 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The same results were also observed with plantain. The samples treated in the laboratory and the control samples showed lower concentrations of arsine and phosphine in all cases, thus suggesting that the fruits marketed in Birnin-Kebbi Central Market were exposed to high levels of CaC2 to hasten their ripening process. These results implied that consumers of these fruits are at risk of various health issues related to arsenic toxicity. Therefore, there is need for public awareness on the dangers of using chemicals for food ripening.
Key words: Fruit ripening, Calcium Carbide, Arsenic, Phosphorus
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