Bioaccumulation of seven heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in  Amaranthus leaf cultivated in Katsina state Nigeria were measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. The health risks to the local inhabitants from the consumption of the Amaranthus leaf were evaluated based on the Target Hazard Quotient. The possibility of cancer risks in the Amaranthus (L.) leaf through the intake of carcinogenic heavy metals was estimated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk. The target hazard quotient was (THQ)>1, indicating that the Amaranthus leaf cultivated may pose a non-carcinogenic risk for all the studied metals. Hazard index (HI) was low. The incremental cancer risk (ILCR) for Cd  violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for both Pb in samples from Dabai, Daura, Funtua, Matazu and Zango and Cd for all samples have reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3), while the ILCR for Pb in samples from Birchi, Dutsinma, Kafur, Katsina and Malunfashi are beyond the moderate risk level (>10−2). The study suggests that consumption of Amaranthus leaf cultivated in Katsina may contribute to the population cancer burden.

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in Hibiscus leaves cultivated in Katsina State Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in the cultivated Hibiscus leaves in the study area, compare the concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards. Samples of cultivated Hibiscus leaves were collected in the year 2017 from the selected area. Yaradua et al.; AJAHR, 3(4): 1-12, 2019; Article no.AJAHR.47834 ) limit. The study suggests that consumption of the studied samples in Katsina state is of public health concern as they may contribute to the population cancer burden. Original Research Article

Vegetables play important roles in human nutrition and health. They can also contain some undesirable components that can be harmful, e.g.  Pesticides and heavy metals. The objectives of the study were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in sampled Baobab leaf in Katsina state Nigeria and assessed the human health risks associated with the consumption of the Baobab leaves. The content of these metals was assayed by the AAS method. The health risk to the local inhabitants was evaluated by estimating daily heavy metal intake and computing the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for cancer and non-cancer risks. The results were compared with the safety standards established by the WHO/FAO and USEPA. With the exception of the heavy metal Pb (0.526-0.981) the mean concentration (mg/kg) range values of Cr (0.116-0.352), Cd (0.041-0.054), Fe (1.016-1.951) and Zn (0.940-1.229) in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ < 1) was observed for all the evaluated heavy metals for both adults and children. The THQ for the samples was in the decreasing order Zn>Fe>Pb>Cr>Cd, for all the baobab leaf samples respectively. All the studied samples showed the risk level (HI < 1). ILCR for Cd violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) for cancer in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for Pb in samples from Dabai and Daura have reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3), while the ILCR for Pb in rest of the samples and ILCR for Cd of all the samples are beyond the moderate risk level (>10−2). The consumption of the Baobab leaf sample may contribute to the population cancer burden.

This work contributes to the monitoring of Agricultural soil pollution in Katsina State, North western Nigeria by assessing the degree of heavy metal pollution in Agricultural soil samples. The study was conducted in the year 2017 within some catchment areas located within the 3 senatorial zones that constitute to make up the state (Katsina senatorial zone: Birchi, Dutsinma and Katsina; Daura senatorial zone: Daura, Ingawa and Zango; Funtua senatorial zone: Dabai, Funtua, Kafur, Malunfashi and Matazu).  Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. . Several indices were used to assess the metal contamination levels in the Agricultural soil samples, namely; Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Degree of Contamination (Cd) and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The result of this study has shown that generally among the heavy metals evaluated, the highest concentration was observed for Fe (range: 20.195-38.347 ppm), followed by Zn (range: 0.528-1.134 ppm), Pb (range: 0.256-0.627 ppm), Mn (range: 0.261-0.572 ppm) and Cr (range: 0.093-0.344 ppm). While Cd has the lowest concentration (range: 0.022-0.043 ppm). For all the site sampled the heavy metal Ni was below detection level (BDL). From the results of heavy metals I-geo values, according to Muller’s classification,  soil samples from Birchi, Daura, Dutsinma, Kafur and Zango were unpolluted (class 0) while soil samples from Dabai, Funtua, Ingawa, Katsina, Malunfashi and Matazu are moderately polluted (class 1). The result for the enrichment factor has shown that with the exception of the heavy metal Fe, which shows significant enrichment for all the sites sampled all the other heavy metals show deficiency to minimal enrichment. Also based on the contamination factors for all soil samples the heavy metal Fe has a CF values range of 1.2861-2.3240, indicating that the Agricultural soil samples are moderately contaminated with Fe. In contrast, the rest of the heavy metals exhibit low contamination in general. The value of PLI ranges from 0.2408 to 0.4935, indicating unpolluted to moderate pollution, with the sampling site for Katsina displaying the highest PLI value while the sampling site of Ingawa has the lowest PLI. The Eri values for all samples are all < 40, presenting low ecological risk.  The results suggest that the Agricultural soils samples from Katsina state has low contamination by the heavy metals evaluated.Key words: Agricultural soils, Heavy metals, Katsina state, Pollution load index, Contamination factor.

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in maize cultivated in Katsina state Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in the cultivated maize in the study area, compare the concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards and asses the health risks to the local consumers. Samples of cultivated maize were collected in the year 2017 from the selected areas.  Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. The health risks to the local inhabitants from the consumption of the samples were evaluated based on the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ). The possibility of cancer risks in the samples through the intake of carcinogenic heavy metals was estimated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR).  Results from this study have shown that with the exception of the heavy metal Pb the concentration values of Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The results have also indicated that the estimated daily intake of the heavy metals was lower than the tolerable daily intake limit set by the USEPA in all samples. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ < 1) was observed for all the evaluated heavy metals for both adults and children.. The THQ for the samples was in the decreasing order Zn>Pb>Fe>Cr>Cd, for all the samples respectively. All the studied samples showed the hazard index (HI < 1) with highest in the sample from Dabai and lowest in the sample from Funtua. In adults the ILCR for Cd violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) in all the studied samples, while the ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) except for the sample from Kafur which is above the limit (>10−2). In children ILCR for Cd in all samples and Pb for samples from Birchi, Katsina and Malunfashi has reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) while the ILCR for Pb in samples from Dabai, Funtua and Kafur is above the limit (>10−2). The trend of risk for developing cancer as a result of consuming the studied maize samples showed: Kafur> Dabai > Funtua> Malunfashi > Katsina. Cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) in adults of all the studied maize samples reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) except for sample from Kafur which is above the moderate risk limit (>10−2). While the cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) in children of all the studied maize samples is above the moderate risk limit (>10−2) except for sample from Katsina which is within the moderate risk limit (>10−3). Among all the studied samples maize sample from Kafur has the highest chances of cancer risks (ILCR 1.297980 × 10−2 in adults, 1.510018 × 10−2 in children) and sample from Katsina has the lowest chances of cancer risk (ILCR 1.68603093 × 10−3 in adults, 7.775840 × 10−3 in children). The study suggests that consumption of the studied maize samples in Katsina state is of public health concern as they may contribute to the population cancer burden.

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in seeds used as raw materials in producing local food seasonings (Locust bean, Soya beans and seed of Hibiscus subdariffa) and the produced local seasonings (Daddawar Kalwa, Daddawar waken Soya and Daddawar Botso) in Katsina state Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in some local seeds used in the preparation of local seasonings and their processed products used in food seasoning in the study area, compare the effect of processing on concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards. Samples of seeds used in local processing of food seasonings were collected in the year 2017 from the selected area.  Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spetrophotometry) method. The difference between concentrations of heavy metals in unprocessed and processed seed samples was performed by the use of T-test statistical analysis. Results from this study has shown that concentration values of Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn and Zn in the  samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The results have indicated that the estimated daily intake of the heavy metals were lower than the tolerable daily intake limit set by the USEPA (2013) in both samples and the health risk index (HRI) for all the heavy metals were <1. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for the samples was in the decreasing order Cd>Pb>Mn>Fe>Ni>Zn>Cr, with the heavy metal Cd having a value of more than 1 which is a cause for concern. Key words: Soya beans, Heavy metals, Katsina, seasonings, locust beans.

The proximate and mineral analyses were conducted in the Department of Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, in May 2019. The study was carried out to determine the proximate and mineral composition of the fruit of Ficus polita using standard analytical methods. The fruit on dry weight basis (DW) contains moisture (9.12 %), ash (1.30 %), crude lipid (20.51 %), crude fibre (56.69 %), crude protein (1.19 %), available carbohydrates (11.40 %), and calorific value (234.98 Kcal/100 g). The fruit also contains potassium (324.46 mg/100 g), sodium (164.78 mg/100 g), calcium (91.09 mg/100 g), magnesium (70.06 mg/100 g), iron (3.39 mg/100 g), zinc (0.46 mg/100 g), manganese (0.37 mg/100 g), copper (0.23 mg/100 g), and cobalt (0.11 mg/100 g). The study revealed that F. polita fruit contains an appreciable amount of calorific value, crude fibre, crude lipid, available carbohydrate, and crude protein. The fruit was also found to be rich in minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron. The fruit should be recommended as a good source of energy, fibre, lipid, carbohydrate, protein, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

The present study was conducted to evaluate anti-diabetic potentials of column chromatography fractions (F1-F6) of chloroform leaf extract of Ficus polita and to detect the probable bioactive compounds present in the most active fraction using spectroscopic techniques. Antidiabetic potential of the fractions (F1-F6) were tested at a dose of 50 mg/kg on wistar rats. Fraction 3 and metformin treated diabetic groups showed significant decreases in fasting blood glucose (FBS) level, ameliorate hepatic and renal damages by decreasing the levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin AST, ALT, creatinine, urea, potassium and chloride, but increasing the levels of serum total protein, albumin, sodium, and bicarbonate compared to untreated diabetic rats. Fraction 3 also stimulates insulin secretion by β cells. After alloxan administration, the levels of hepatic and renal tissues antioxidant markers such as GSH, SOD and catalase were decreased whereas the level of hepatic and renal tissues MDA was elevated. The levels of these antioxidant markers were brought to normalcy by fraction 3 (F3). Histological studies of the pancreas supported the biochemical findings, and treatment with fraction 3 (F3) was found to be effective in restoring alloxan-induced pancreatic toxicity in rats. FTIR and GCMS and analyses were conducted for the detection of bioactive compound(s) in fraction 3 (F3) and the result revealed the presence of "8-methoxy-4-phenylquinoline and narceine The study concludes that; the anti-diabetic property of the leaf of Ficus polita is mediated by the bioactive compounds " 8-methoxy-4-phenylquinoline, and narceine." through their antioxidant properties and stimulation of damaged pancreas to produce more insulin.