IMPACTS OF HEAVY METALS IN SEED CROPS AND OIL SEED ON HUMAN HEALTH: A TREAT TO FOOD SAFETY- REVIEW

The dramatic distribution of heavy metals in the 21st century is one of the most important concern in human health and the environment. A wide range of heavy metals has been detected in various environmental and food matrices due to their bio-accumulative and persistent properties. To prevent any health problems and toxicity from heavy metals in human due to their worldwide consumption, guidelines on the maximum residue level (MRL) in oilseeds have been established. This review has been done to assess vegetable and seed oil/fat and their benefits, nutritional value and applications, as well as sources and occurrence of heavy metals in vegetable and seed oil/fat, effects of heavy metals on nutrient quality of oilseed and impact on human health. The most common heavy metals, which can found in oil and oilseeds/fats, are arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cd). Coexistence of heavy metals in the food commodities may lead to synergistic toxic interactions among heavy metals. In this regard, to minimize the health effects of heavy metals by consumption of plant and seed oil/fat, besides increasing regular surveillance and monitoring, revising the maximum permissible level of heavy metals is necessary.