Health Risk and Metal Contamination Assessment in Orange (Citrus aurantium) of Pakistan: a Multivariate Study

Toxic metals (TMs) are serious health hazard and are known to accumulate in fruits, which are consumed by people, owning to their distinct sweet flavor and potential health benefits. In the present study, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and mercury (Hg) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) techniques in orange samples from 11 farmhouses of Sargodha, Pakistan. Principal component analysis (PCA) is a very useful analysis and data-reducing tool. This technique was used to explore the relationship between different metal levels in the oranges. The conventional wet acid digestion method was validated and assured with two (02) certified reference materials NIST-SRM 1515-Apple and (CRM) NIST-1570a Spinach Leaves by recovery test coupled with standard addition procedure. The results showed that Cd and Cr average daily intakes are 0.084 and 0.15 mg slightly higher than World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (WHO/FAO) recommended tolerable daily intake respectively. The assessment of health risk was also carried out in form of total hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI), indicating three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Cr) have significant human health risk potential to consumers while Cu, As, Hg, and Ni have non-significant (THQ < 1) health risks.