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ABSTRACT
Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are unsaturated fatty acids with non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds in the trans configuration of their chemical structure. This alters the biologic effects of the fatty acids especially at consumption levels higher than recommended. Epidemiological studies have strongly implicated industrial and even natural TFAs in cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, liver dysfunction and even cancer. Efforts to eliminate TFAs from foods have been initiated globally, with the World Health Organization's "REPLACE" action plan aiming to eliminate industrial TFAs by 2023. However, data on TFA intake and regulatory measures in regions like Nigeria remain limited, making it essential to assess the prevalence of TFAs in commonly consumed Nigerian foods. This study aims to determine the presence and assess the dietary exposure of TFAs in foods commonly consumed in Ugbowo Benin City, Nigeria. Four(4) doughnut samples were collected and coded to avoid bias before grinding and homogenization in preparation for fats extraction using diethyl ether and hexane as solvents. The extracted fats were then converted to Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) using 2N methanolic potassium hydroxide (KOH) and the FAMEs, analysed using the hyphenated technique, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). A spreadsheet analysis of the results was then conducted and reported. The TFAs trans-13-Octadecenoic acid and Linoelaidic as well as 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, (E, Z)-) were found in some samples while no TFAs were found in some. However, all four samples contained saturated, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids in varying percentages and as well as other components, not of interest to this study. The results of the analytical study indicate the presence of trans fatty acids in the selected food samples at levels higher than those recommended by international expert groups and public health authorities like the World Health Organisation (WHO).
