Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Roadsides Vernonia amygdalina Obtained in Abak, Nigeria
Emmanuel Isaac Uwah,
Itohowo Ime Jonathan,
Iboroakam Essien Udosen
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
48-53
Received:
23 February 2020
Accepted:
4 March 2020
Published:
31 December 2020
Abstract: Levels of some trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Mn) were investigated in roadside soil and the leaves of a common perennial vegetable (Vernonia amygdalina). Soil and vegetable samples were collected from roadsides of three major roads in Abak (Ikot Ekpene road, Ikot Abasi road and Uyo road). The samples were digested using standard methods and analysed using Unicam 939/959 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results revealed that the levels of all the metals in soil samples were higher than the levels of metals in the corresponding vegetable. The metal levels in both the soil and vegetable samples were in the order: Cu > Zn > Pb > Mn > Cd. Cu, Cd and Pb with the levels of 106.71, 0.25 and 0.54 mg/kg, respectively, in plant samples respectively were higher than the WHO maximum permissible limits of 73.30 mg/kg for Cu; 0.20 mg/kg for Cd and 0.30 mg/kg for Pb. Zn (45.25 mg/kg) and Mn (0.47 mg/kg) were below the maximum permissible limits of 99.40 mg/kg for Zn and 500 mg/kg for Mn. Further analysis of the V. amygdalina pollution status using transfer factor (TF) revealed that Zn had the highest TF value of 0.5 while Cd recorded the lowest of 0.019. The toxic risk (hazard quotient) for adults and children consuming the V. amygdalina leaves showed that Cu was greater than one (1) and other metals were generally low and within safe limits. The Hazard indices were greater than 1 for both adults (1.69E+0) and children (1.94E+0). This implies that the trace metal contamination was capable of posing health hazard to consumers of this plant.
Abstract: Levels of some trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Mn) were investigated in roadside soil and the leaves of a common perennial vegetable (Vernonia amygdalina). Soil and vegetable samples were collected from roadsides of three major roads in Abak (Ikot Ekpene road, Ikot Abasi road and Uyo road). The samples were digested using standard methods and anal...
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Phytochemical Constituents and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Momordicaaugustisepala Seed and Stem Species Grown in Nigeria
Ezekiel Gbadebo Adeyeni,
Ezekiel Temidayo Ayodele,
Taofik Adewale Adedosu,
Olusola Nathaniel Majolagbe,
Ruth Adeola Adeyeni
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
54-63
Received:
2 November 2020
Accepted:
17 November 2020
Published:
31 December 2020
Abstract: Diseases and infections are two of the most notable health challenges that humans are facing today; these have led to different health impairments, death and other economic damages. To combat these menaces, leaf and stem of Momordicaaugustisepala plant have been noted for their medicinal properties. Ethanol extract of Momordicaaugustisepala leaf and stem was investigated for their phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities. M. augustisepala leaf (MAL) andstem (MAS) was collected in Ogbomoso. Exactly 500 g of leafand stem was soaked in 4000 mL of ethanol. It was agitated for 1 hour at room temperature (27°C) in ultrasonic sonicator based on their polarity. The extract was then decanted, combined, filtered and concentrated using Rotary Evaporator at 40°C. The Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectra and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometer was obtained on a Perkin Elmer Spectrum and Varian Cary ultraviolet-visible. Results of the phytochemical analysis of the Momordicaaugustisepala leaf and stem showed the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Tannins, Saponins, Phenols, Steroids and Anthraquinones, and Momordicaaugustisepala stem revealed, Alkaloids, flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Glycoside, Steroids, terpenoids, Tannins, Saponins and Phenols, while reducing sugar and phlobatanins were absent. Maximum inhibition protein denaturation of 86.6% and 89.3%was observed at 500μg/ml for anti-inflammatory activities. As compared to Aspirin standard anti-inflammation drug which gave 85.9% at the same concentration. The results revealed that both seed and stem of M. augustisepala have potential for antimicrobial and anti- inflammatory activities which may be due to the presence of plant secondary metabolites.
Abstract: Diseases and infections are two of the most notable health challenges that humans are facing today; these have led to different health impairments, death and other economic damages. To combat these menaces, leaf and stem of Momordicaaugustisepala plant have been noted for their medicinal properties. Ethanol extract of Momordicaaugustisepala leaf an...
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Nutritional Quality, Level of Chemical Contaminants and Adulterants in Milk and Dairy Products in Ethiopia: A Review
Haftom Zebib,
Ashagrie Zewdu
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
64-72
Received:
15 May 2020
Accepted:
1 June 2020
Published:
31 December 2020
Abstract: Milk is a highly nutritious food, and it is a source of necessary macro and micro-nutrients for the growth, development and maintenance of human health. However the quality and safety of milk and dairy products become major health concern for consumers particularly to infants and children. This paper attempts to review the state of knowledge on nutritional quality, chemical contaminants and adulterants of milk and dairy products in Ethiopia. It also focuses on the method for analysis and identifies gaps for future work. Some work has been done in nutritional quality of milk and dairy products. The nutritional quality of Ethiopian milk products are substandard due to poor hygienic practices and water adulteration at farm level and value chain actors. Few of the research results reviewed for aflatoxin M1, organochlorine pesticide, heavy metals and antibiotic residues exceed international maximum permissible limit standards. The use of adulterants for economic gain is adding of water (dilution) in raw milk. In general there are limited reports in chemical contaminants in the country. Further research is required on quantification, implementation of monitoring and controlling system to improve the quality and safety of milk products across value chain in the regions of the country.
Abstract: Milk is a highly nutritious food, and it is a source of necessary macro and micro-nutrients for the growth, development and maintenance of human health. However the quality and safety of milk and dairy products become major health concern for consumers particularly to infants and children. This paper attempts to review the state of knowledge on nut...
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