Physicochemical properties ofCucurbita pepo, Brachystegia eurycoma, Cucumis melo, Luffa cylindrica, andArachis hypogaeaoils were studied to determine their potential as viable feedstock for biodiesel production. The nonedible oils were extracted by solvent extraction using n-hexane while the oil ofArachis hypogaeawas procured. All the oils were characterized for specific gravity, pH, ash content, iodine value, acid value, saponification value, peroxide value, free fatty acid, flash point, kinematic viscosity, and refractive indices using standard methods.Cucurbita peposeeds had very high oil content when compared to the others. Specific gravity and flash point of the oils were satisfactory. However, moisture content of some of the oils exceeded the stipulated ASTM standard for biodiesel production. Again, acid values of the nonedible oils were very high and exceeded the ASTM standard. They also exceeded the acid value ofArachis hypogaeaoil except forLuffa cylindricaoil. Results indicate that the oils are potential biodiesel feedstocks. However, overall results indicate that the nonedible oils are not suitable for single-stage transesterification process to biodiesel but would be better suited for the two stage esterification and subsequent transesterification in order to obtain reasonable yields of the methyl esters.

Chromium intakes were above recommended daily intake (RDI). Target hazard quotient (THQ) for nickel and zinc were within WHO/FAO limit. There was no evidence of possible health risk to consumers with regard to zinc and nickel. However, chromium intake should be of utmost concern, while disposal of tanning waste should be checked.

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This study evaluated the levels of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in the muscles and edible offal's of goat bred from Nigeria. The samples were digested with a 3:1 mixture of HCl and HNO3 and analysed with a Unicam Solar 32 AAS. The results obtained expressed in mgkg-1 showed that kidney had the highest mean concentration of 0.83 ranging from 0.07-3.08 for cadmium, 0.53 from nd-0.63 for lead; while liver had 134.02 ranging from 26.36-398.16 for copper and muscle 131.55 from nd-417.00 for zinc. Most of the samples studied were found to have these metals above the permissible limits set by some regulatory bodies. Pearson's correlation analysis showed significant correlation (p < 0.01) between the metal levels in the heart and kidney, an indication of common source of contamination. The meat quality was found to be impaired by high levels of Zn, Cu and Cd and indicates widespread contamination of the environment by these trace metals.

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