Identification of lead (II), mercury (I), cadmium (II), nickel (II), and copper (II) concentration in uncooked and cooked chicken ball, fish ball, squid ball, and cooking oil around the vicinity of FEU-NRMF / Section A1; Hena W. Alcantara.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: Street Foods are sold everywhere around the country to serve one`s instant hunger reliever while on the road or street. These are obtainable from a street side vendor often from a makeshift or portable stall. These are widely available and affordable making it popular and convenient to students. However, due to increased industrialization and pollutants, different heavy metals are being emitted and can contaminate these foods. This research was done to measure the concentrations of lead (II), mercury (I), cadmium (II), nickel (II), and copper (II) in uncooked and cooked chicken balls, fish balls, squid balls and cooking oil around the vicinity of FEU-NRMF. This study utilized 50 pieces of cooked and 50 pieces of uncooked chicken balls. fish balls and squid balls; and 300-500 ml of cooking oil from five selected vendors around FEU. The samples were measured by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OFS). The heavy metal concentrations on the samples tested were less than the detectable amount and are as follow: cadmium (I) was less than 0.5 ppm, copper (II) was less than 1.0ppm, lead (II) was less than 2.0 ppm, mercury (i) was less than 0.1 ppm and nickel (II) was less than 1.0 ppm. Based on the data collected, the study arrived at the at the conclusion that in terms of Lead (II), Mercury (I) Cadmium (II) Nickel (II), or copper (II), there were no detectable concentrations present in the uncooked street foods chosen and cooking oil used. However, the results of the study cannot determine whether the detected concentrations are within the normal blood range of the Nutrition and Diet Therapy Reference Guide. There was also no significant difference in the heavy metal ion concentration among the samples since there were no detectable concentration values that can serve as basis of comparison. Although there were no significant concentrations detected of the heavy metal ions in the above mentioned street foods, it is still recommended that in future studies, the procedure to be used to test the metal ion concentrations are Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) with greater sensitivity be used in future studies. In addition, further study for the detection of heavy metal ions in other types of street foods as well as for other possible causes of contamination such as the sauces, food additives, and cooking utensils (e.g. sticks, knife, strainer, frying pan and spatula) should be encouraged. Furthermore, it is also suggested that similar studies should be continued at other locations that are exposed to pollutants preferably commercial areas, sidewalks, and busy streets outside the vicinity of FEU-NMF.

Thesis - Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition