Kan Benjamin KOUAME^1,, Say Jean Baptiste ANOUHE², Amaco Marise KACOU³, Nonhondé Horline Dégrace ZIOH¹, Kouakou Levi Moïse KOFFI¹, Soune Carole ZOUZOU¹, Mady CISSE⁴, Nogbou Emmanuel ASSIDJO⁵

Plant-derived foods are critical sources of essential minerals, yet environmental contamination by trace elements (TEs) can result in their bioaccumulation, posing potential health risks. This study quantified Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, and Pb in rice from Daloa, Issia, and Vavoua, Haut-Sassandra region, Côte d’Ivoire, to assess compliance with international safety standards. Thirty samples (10 per locality) representing the varieties Wita 9, Bouaké Amélioré, and V10 were collected from local producers. Following acid digestion, trace elements concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Fe ranged from 10.21 to 36.80 mg/kg, Al from 7.76 to 29.02 mg/kg, Zn from 20.05 to 41.07 mg/kg, and Cu from 1.00 to 5.25 mg/kg. Co (0.91–2.05 mg/kg), Ni (0.01–0.30 mg/kg), and Pb (0.002–0.024 mg/kg) levels were low, whereas Cr concentrations (0.25–2.00 mg/kg) exceeded WHO thresholds in some samples. ANOVA (p < 0.05) revealed significant differences between localities. Overall, the rice studied poses no immediate health risk regarding most TEs and retains significant nutritional value. However, the cumulative nature of certain metals, particularly Cr, underscores the need for continuous monitoring and implementation of preventive strategies at the production level. These results highlight the importance of integrating nutritional quality assessment with rigorous food safety surveillance to ensure the production of safe, mineral-rich staple foods.

Trace metals, Rice, Food safety, toxicity, Côte d’Ivoire