Health Risk Assessment and Determination of Heavy Metals in Sesame Oils

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the fatty acid (FA) profile and level of heavy metals and determine the potential health risks of heavy metals (cumulative carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks) in the sesame oil consumed in Iran. Methods: In total, 30 sesame oil samples were collected from factories (n=20; industrial) and traditional mills (n=10; non-industrial). The heavy metal content and FA profile of the examined samples were determined by ICP-OES and gas chromatography, respectively. The human health risk assessment model developed by the States Environment Protection Agency (U.S.EPA) was used to assess the human health risk (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk) of heavy metals in the sesame oil samples based on Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Results: No significant differences were observed between the industrial and non-industrial sesame oil samples in terms of the FA profile and toxic heavy metal contamination. Meanwhile, the FA profile of the industrial and non-industrial sesame oil samples indicated high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (84.5% and 83.49%, respectively), with the main fatty acids determined to be oleic acid and linoleic acid. The FA profile of the sesame oil samples indicated no adulteration with other vegetable oils. The concentration of lead, cadmium, and iron in the industrial sesame oil samples was estimated at 0.008-1.33, 0.001-0.04, and 0.11-6.74 mg/kg, while it was 0.00-0.199, 0.01-0.04, and 0.8-4.3 mg/kg in the non-industrial sesame oil samples, respectively. In general, lead content was higher than the legislation limit of Iran and the European Union (0.1 mg/kg). Mercury and arsenic were not detected in any of the sesame oil samples. The obtained mean values of iron were lower than the maximum values recommended by the FAO/WHO (1-1.5 μg/g). as for cadmium, these values were in line with international requirements (0.05 μg/g) (1). Carcinogenic health risk (ILCRs) and non-carcinogenic health risk (HI or THQ) highly exceeded the threshold value of one in both adult and children consumer groups. Conclusion: According to the results, adults and children are at the risk of consuming contaminated sesame oil through ingestion. Therefore, it is essential to monitor heavy metal contaminants and the quality of imported sesame seeds prior to oil production.