Investigation of some trace elements in Sudanese snuff (toombak)

Toombak is a local from of snuff widely used in Sudan. Dipping snuff is a common habit in Sudanese male subject. Many reports have related the high incidence rate of oral cancer and other types of cancer in Sudanese subjects to this habit. Trace elements such as Cu, Co, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy in soil on which toombak is grown, toombak leaves ready to use and nitron. The average concentration (μ/g) of these elements in soil and toombak leaves were found to be 60.8 and 18.1 (Cu), 72.2 and 50.9 (Zn), 48.4 and 19.9 (Co), 398.6 and 211.7 (Mn), 17391.9 and 6410.7 (Fe), 16.1 and 5.3 (Cr), 27.7 and 7.9 )Pb), 7.2, and 4.8 (Cd), respectively. The concentration of trace elements in ready to use were found to be 10.77 for Cu, 35.1 for Zn, 22.9 for Co, 448.7 for Mn, 6833.97 for Fe, 4.16 for Cr, 8.8 for Pb, and 5.72 for Cd. For the nitron the average of trace elements content in nitron samples were found 1.27 for Cu, 18.5 for Zn, 2.7 for Co, 76.5 for Mn 2129.2 for Fe, 2.73 for Cr, 3.74 for Pb, and 0.57 for Cd. Sudanese soils were found to be rich in trace elements (Cu,Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, and Cd) and their levels are consider to be sufficient and normal for plant up take. The levels of trace elements in the toombak were higher than those reported in the literature with respect to copper and cadmium, where lead and zinc fall within the range. Soil to plant transferers factor was determined and found to be less than unity. The correlation coefficient between concentrations of trace elements in soils, and their soil- to toombak transfer factors divided the elements into two group , first group have inverse correlation while the second group is independent of their soil concentration. The correlation factor between soil and plant show strong correlation between Cu-Zn, Pb-Zn, Co-Fe and Pb-Cd. (Author)