Elemental Profiling and Chemometric Analysis of Imported Cereals: Occurrence, Variability and Low Dietary Risk

Abstract:

This study evaluates the concentrations, and health risks of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, As, Sn, Cd, Hg) in imported rice and wheat flour in Somalia. Samples were analysed using ICP-MS. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to examine the influence of crop type and geographic origin. Mean concentrations of toxic elements (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) were substantially below maximum limits established by international regulatory frameworks. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) values were all below threshold levels. Significant variation in copper concentrations was observed between cereal types (p < 0.001), with wheat flour containing twice the levels found in rice. Elemental composition was primarily structured by crop type and secondarily by geographic origin. PCA explained 73.8% of total variance revealing clear separation between cereal matrices. HCA identified distinct clusters corresponding to countries of origin. The geochemical profiling of elements reflected environmental conditions in production regions.