Microorganisms play a significant role in biological decomposition of materials, including synthetic polymers in natural environments. This research was aimed to asses some potential plastic degrading microbes in Katsina. Soil samples from four different locations of about 15,000 meters apart were used for this study. Portions of the soil samples were dried, ground and sieved through a 2mm sieve for Physico-chemical characterization. The soil temperature range from 26.30c to 29.60c, pH 5.67 to 6.26, % Nitrate 0.54 to 0.97, % Phosphates 2.03 to 3.83, % organic carbon 1.71 to 3.27, % organic matter 1.97 to 9.43 and % moisture content 7.13 to 16.22. Isolation and the enumeration of bacteria and fungi was done using nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar respectively. The total populations of bacteria ranged from 1.69 x 105 to 2.94 x 105 CFU/g in the soil while the fungi range from 1.60 x 104 to 8.35 x 104 CFU/g in the soil. The capability of microbial isolates to biodegrade ground polyethylene bags and plastic bottles was tested weekly. Microbes identified include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus lactis, Bacillus subtilis, Diplococcus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Eight degrading fungal species identified following fungal colony and color include Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ornatus, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus terreus and Rhizopus stolonifera. It can be concluded that the soil around Kofar Sauri, Kofar Marusa, Kofar Guga and Kofar Kaura of Katsina metropolis contains some plastic degrading microbial species. Hence, further investigation using GC-MS to analyze the microbial enzymes or organic acids in degradation of the polythene and plastics in eco-friendly way is recommended.
Ingestion of vegetables containing heavy metal is one of the main ways in which these elements enter the human body. Once entered, heavy metals are deposited in bone and fat tissues, overlapping noble minerals. Slowly released into the body, heavy metals can cause an array of diseases. This study aimed to assess the heavy metals residues in some vegetables and potential health risk among consumers within Katsina Metropolis. Six different vegetable samples comprising of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), red pepper (Piper nigrum) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentus) were randomly collected from two main irrigation farmland located in Katsina Metropolis (Kofar sauri and Kofar marusa). Their level of toxic metals namely (Copper, Zinc, Cadmium, Chromium and Lead) were assessed using standard materials and methods. Results obtained were used to estimate the health risk of these heavy metals via consumption of the vegetable samples. The results from the study showed that the mean heavy metal concentration ranged between 1.10±0.00 mg/kg to 4.45±0.16 mg/kg, 1.78±0.07 mg/kg to 4.9±0.11 mg/kg, 0.02±0.00 mg/kg to 1.28±0.02 mg/kg, 1.51±0.02 mg/kg to 4.34±0.02 mg/kg and 1.05±0.01 mg/kg to 2.86±0.02 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Pb respectively. The concentration of Cu and Zn were found to be below permissible limit while Cd, Cr and Pb concentration exceeded the permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO. Health risks associated with the intake of these metals were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). EDI value of Cu and Zn were found to be below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The HQ of all the metals were >1, suggesting health hazards risk for the population. Moreover, HQ of Cd and Pb were greatly higher through consumption of cucumber, cabbage, lettuce and red pepper indicating significant health risks. HI was found to be higher >1 (3.32 mg/kg and 3.91 mg/kg) in adult and children respectively for consumption of spinach; however, it was much higher >1 (10.49 mg/kg and 12.4 mg/kg) in adult and children respectively for consumption of cabbage, suggesting more adverse health effects from cabbage consumption than spinach. The findings of this study shows the health risks associated with the consumption of heavy metals through the intake of some the selected vegetables within Katsina Metropolis, therefore, there is need for biomonitoring of these heavy metals in the vegetable because these are some of the main sources of food for humans in many parts of the world. Keywords: Heavy metal, Estimated Daily Intake, Hazard Quotient, Hazard Index, Consumption
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