Entomophagy and chemical element residues: Noncarcinogenic risk assessment for human consumption.

ABSTRACT: Entomophagy has received considerable attention due to its vulnerability to toxic chemical elements, thus requiring safety assessment. In this study, edible insects Rhyncophorus phoenics larvae (palm weevil) and Macrotermes bellicosus (termite) commonly found and sold in Anambra State, Nigeria, were collected from market vendors and identified. The concentration of chemical elements was determined by Varian AA240 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, and levels were compared with recommended standards. Noncarcinogenic risk assessment via oral exposure was evaluated following the procedure of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In palm weevils, zinc (Zn) had the highest concentration, whereas manganese (Mn) concentration was highest in termites. Both insects had arsenic (As)

SUBMITTER: Ezeonyejiaku CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12027056 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature