Professional Analysis of Chemical Contamination in Artisanal Salt Produced from Lake Chad Region, Borno State

Artisanal salt harvested from saline soils and pans in the Lake Chad Basin of Borno State is widely traded and consumed across North East Nigeria, yet its chemical composition and the presence of potential contaminants have not been subjected to systematic professional analysis. This study conducted a comprehensive chemical analysis of artisanal lake salt samples collected from five salt production communities in the Kukawa and Marte Local Government Areas of Borno State. Forty salt samples were analysed for sodium chloride content, heavy metal concentrations, sulphate, carbonate, bicarbonate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, fluoride, and microbial load. Sodium chloride content ranged from 62 to 89 percent, indicating substantial mineral impurities in most samples compared to the 97 percent minimum for food-grade salt. Fluoride concentrations ranged from 2.4 to 8.6 mg/kg, with the highest levels exceeding WHO limits for food additives. Lead was detected in 72 percent of samples at concentrations between 0.4 and 3.6 mg/kg. Cadmium was present in 45 percent of samples. Sulphate impurities contributed to laxative effects reported anecdotally by consumers. Total carbonate and bicarbonate concentrations were high in samples from alkaline pan sources. Microbial contamination, including Bacillus cereus spores, was detected in 40 percent of samples. These results indicate that artisanal salt from the Lake Chad Basin poses food safety risks and fails food-grade chemical standards. The study recommends purification and iodisation of this salt before retail sale and development of appropriate processing infrastructure for salt-producing communities in North East Nigeria.

Keywords: artisanal salt, chemical contamination, Lake Chad Basin, food safety, Borno State