Vegetables are highly consumed in all the states across Northern Nigeria where they constitute a major source of nutritious food. However, their assessment as food, which is based on their chemical analysis, has not been adequately studied and documented in the areas. Standard procedures were used to determine the proximate and chemical composition of all vegetable species analysed. Atomic absorption and flame spectrophotometer test was used to determine the mineral composition. The results were compared using an analysis of variance test. There were significant differences in the nutritive values of the various vegetables (p>0.05) studied. Despite differences in the chemical composition of the vegetable species, the overall nutritional potential of the whole vegetable species was quite good. The results of the analysis showed high significant amounts of protein, and minerals, ranging from 1.24 to 48.44 mg/g and 0.09 to 57.54 mg/g for macro and micro elements respectively. Furthermore, crude fibre ranged between 3.32 to 19.76% and carbohydrate ranged from 20.54 to 64.78%, both of which were found to be relatively high. All species were moderate in fat content, with a range of 1.11 to 8.43%. Although, Pb and Cd were detected in some of the species of the vegetables. However, the results indicated that the studied vegetables can be suggested for human consumption.

This study focuses on the nutrient, antinutrient and sugar contents of (desert date) Balanites aegyptiaca seed and pulp collected from north-east Nigeria. Proximate, mineral, amino acid, antinutrient and sugar compositions were determined using standard analytical techniques. The calculated parameters were metabolized energy, mineral safety index (MSI), mineral ratios of some minerals, isoelectric point (pI), predicted protein efficiency ratio (P-PER) and leucine to isoleucine ratio. The results showed that seed was very rich in crude protein and crude fat with values of 30.80 and 45.53 g/100 g dry weight basis, respectively whereas, the pulp had values of 8.36 and 5.10 g/100 g dw for the same parameters. The following were observed as the most concentrated minerals: P (312.72 and 138.62 mg/100 g dw), Na (58.49 and 47.65 mg/100 g dw) and Ca (48.57 and 40.26 mg/100 g dw) for seed and pulp, respectively. Other minerals analyzed in the samples had values less than 15.0 mg/100 g. No mineral had deleterious value in the MSI. Amino acid analysis of seed and pulp showed concentrations of TAA (63.21 and 42.62 g/100 g cude protein), TEAA (26.19 and 21.88 g/100 g cp) and TNEAA ((26.19 and 21.88 g/100 g cp). Leucine (7.30 g/100 g cp) and Arg (3.69 g/100 g cp) were the most concentrated essential amino acids in seed and pulp. The phytate, tannin and oxalate concentrations were higher in seed compared with that of the pulp. All the sugars were of low levels. Generally, Balanites aegyptiaca seed and pulp contained nutritive minerals and sufficient proportions of EAAs however, dietary formula based on samples of the seed and pulp will require EAAs supplementation except in Leu, TSAA and Phe + Tyr of the seed. Likewise, the high contents of some of the antinutrients may pose a nutritional problem in their consumption.

Honey and honey trade is an important economic activity for many tropical rural and urban areas worldwide. In West Africa and other part of the world, honey and honey products holds high socio–cultural, religious, medicinal and traditional values. Therefore, to maximize benefits or to enhance profit, a variety of components are added to the raw, fresh and unprocessed honey, introducing the possibility of heavy metals contaminants. Therefore the honey sold in various places, markets and shops  in some states in Northern Nigeria (Benue, Nassarawa and Taraba) including Abuja FCT, in Nigeria was analyzed to determine the level of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn).All the honey samples contain heavy metals. The results ranged from 0.028–0.070, 0.023–0.058, 0.042–0.092, 4.231–8.589, 8.115–14.892, 0.078–0.922, 0.044–0.092, 0.041–0.087 and 18.234–28.654 μg/L for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn respectively. The mean concentration (μg/L) of the heavy metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn of the regularly marketed honey is significantly higher than the mean concentration observed in raw, fresh and unprocessed honey. However, continued consumption of honey with high heavy metal content might lead to exposure to chronic heavy metal poisoning.

Background: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was applied to study the impact of human activities on the bed of River Benue, the second largest river in NigeriAtomic Absorption Spectroscopic (AAS) method is most commonly being used due to its reproducibility of results, short analysis time, cost effective, lower level detection and hyphenated in nature.a. Sediments were collected at four distinct stations designated ST1 – ST4 representing areas impacted by various contaminants to different degrees. The sediments are generally slightly alkaline with pH value ranging from 7.98 - 8.53. The concentrations (mg/kg) of 7 metallic elements of environmental implications which includes Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe Mn, and Zn were determined. Mean level of metal pollutants of toxicological concern Cd and Pb were 0.05 and 1.26 mg/kg. The decrease in concentrations of the metals across sampling stations followed this sequence Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. Levels of all under studied metallic contaminant were significantly higher in samples from station S4 followed by S1 compared to S2 and S3 with lower degree of human activities. Levels of metals associated with the exchangeable, reducible, oxidisable and residual fractions ranged from 0.083 to 199.959; 0.037 to 219.118; 0.040 to 168.850 and 0.037 to 116.409 respectively. The mobility factor of cadmium in all the sample stations ranges from 28.06 – 69.27 mg/kg. The high value of Cd and Zn in the exchangeable fraction could indicate high mobility rate and readily availability of these metals for uptake by aquatic organisms. The aim of the study was therefore to assess the impact of metallic contaminants on the sediment, evaluate the pollution status of the sediments by the application of geoaccumulation index and their mobility rate. Aim: The concentrations in mg/kg of six heavy metals of environmental implications which includes Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer PG Instrument Model AA090M046. Methods: Soil and sediments samples were collected at four distinct stations, designated ST1-ST4 which represents areas impacted by human activities on the bank and bed of River Benue, the second largest river in Nigeria. The mean concentrations of Cd and Pb (0.05 mg/kg and 1.26 mg/kg) were of toxicological concern. The decrease in concentrations of the metals across sampling stations followed this sequence Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. The concentration of all heavy metals studied were significantly high in samples from station S4 and S1 compared to S2 and S3. Levels of metals associated with the exchangeable, reducible, oxidisable and residual fractions ranged from 0.083 mg/kg to 199.959 mg/kg; 0.037 mg/kg to 219.118 mg/kg; 0.040 mg/kg to 168.850 mg/kg and 0.037 mg/kg to 116.409 mg/kg respectively. Results: The soil and sediments were slightly alkaline with pH values ranging from 7.98 - 8.53. The mobility factor of cadmium in all the sample stations ranges from 28.06 – 69.27 mg/kg. The high value of Cd and Zn in the exchangeable fraction could indicate high mobility rate and readily availability of these metals for uptake by aquatic organisms. Conclusion: The aim of the study was therefore to assess the impact of metallic contaminants on the sediment, evaluate the pollution status of the sediments by the application of geoaccumulation index and their mobility rate.

Analysis of soil around the vicinity of Arufu mine field was conducted in order to ascertain the impact of mining on the environment. Concentrations of trace metals associated with Pb – Zn – barite mineralization were determine in soils using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) Varian AA 240, after acid digestion with a mixture of 1:1 hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia. Mean concentrations (µg/g) of metals ranged from 5.72 (As) – 451.44 (Pb) in dry season and 1.32 (Cd) – 504.61 (Pb) in wet season. Index of geoaccumulation were in the following order of increasing magnitude: Cu < Zn < As < Pb < Ag for dry season and Cu < As < Zn < Cd < Pb for wet season. On the other hand, soil enrichment ratio ranged from Cu (1.06) – Ag (126.18) and Cu (1.35) – Pb (34.10) in dry and wet season respectively. Levels of metals measured were higher than their corresponding values reported for soil in the upper continental crusts. Toxic metal (Pb) has its mean concentration above maximum tolerance level while Zn and As levels were below the maximum tolerable levels. The presence of Pb above maximum tolerance level may render the soil unsuitable for agricultural practices, hence high impacts of Pb – Zn mining in the study area.

Purpose of study: Soils from the vicinity of a cement factory in Obajana in Kogi state of Nigeria were analyzed for their physicochemical and elemental contents in order to assess the contamination level of the soils. Methodology: Samples were collected at twenty-two identified transects of the soils near the cement factory using standard analytical procedures during Dry and Rainy seasons. The elemental contents of the soils were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique while the physicochemical parameters were determined using standard analytical techniques. Main Findings: Results indicated that the physicochemical parameter values varied across the study areas. Ten elements (As, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analyzed and their concentrations values established. In addition, calculation of Enrichment Factors (EFs), Geo - accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Indices (PI) and Pearson correlation matrices were performed and the results indicated that across the transects some elements were in the highly pollution class and strongly correlated.  Implications: The cement facility together with the attendant vehicular traffic emissions were implicated as responsible for metal pollution in the area as higher concentration of metals were found in the sites closer to the cement factory. Originality/Novelty: Researchers did this study in their lab and this give can help government to set policies to safeguard health of community.

Aims: This work is aimed at investigating physicochemical parameters and compositions of fatty acid, phospholipid and sterol of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) kernel and pulp. Study Design: Balanites aegyptiaca fruit is one of the oldest feed-stocks in Africa of which little or no attention has been given to it. The plant plays a diverse cultural and traditional role in different societies. Therefore, it is very important to explore more about the chemical composition of the kernel and pulp oils of Balanites aegyptiaca; since it is currently attracting considerable research interest as a result of its diverse beneficial properties. Methodology: The physicochemical parameters, fatty acids, phospholipids and phytosterols of B. aegyptiaca seed and pulp oils have been analyzed and compared with the standards and that of conventional oil for easy assessment of their suitability for nutritional and industrial applications. Results: The results of some physicochemical parameters of kernel and pulp oils were acid value (26.35 and 15.60 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (3.82 and 5.90 meq/kg), saponification value (162.40 and 198.60 mg KOH/g), iodine value (55.20 and 142.50 mg of I/100 g), specific gravity (0.93 and 0.92), kinematic viscosity (2.12 and 1.65 St) and refractive index (1.41 and 1.39), respectively. The most concentrated fatty acids were palmitic acid (14.53%) < linoleic acid (35.65%) < oleic acid (38.27%) for the kernel oil while that of pulp oil were linolenic acid (8.21%) < oleic acid (16.80%) < palmitic acid (32.70%) < linoleic acid (33.56%). Arachidic, behenic, lignoceric and myristic acids were all present in small quantities with none of them recording up to 1.0% in either of the samples. Caprylic, capric and lauric acids were determined but not detected in both oils. The fatty acid composition of kernel and pulp oils contained a healthy mixture of all the types of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The value of polyunsaturated/saturated index (P/S) which is associated to the impact on human health was higher in the pulp oil (2.47). Phosphatidylcholine had the highest content in both oils that is 75.99 and 25.88 mg/100 g, respectively. The total values of phytosterols for kernel and pulp oils were 85.00 and 9.87 mg/100 g, respectively. Conclusion: Balanites aegytiaca kernel and pulp oils have the potential to substitute several materials used in manufacturing oil in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, in order to extend usage, these oils should be refined in order to improve the colour and taste.

The determination of Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils within motor parks in some selected Local Government Areas of Benue state were carried out with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique. The method developed by the United State Environmental Protection Agency for (total sobbed) heavy metals in soils, sediments and sludges was used in the preparation of the soil samples for the determination of total metal content in this study. Generally, the ranges and mean concentrations (ug/g) of metals in auto-mechanical workshop soils were 5.00 - 5.93 (5.47 ± 0.29), 2.07 - 2.93 (2.44 ± 0.28), 204.33 - 273.83 (240.29 ± 23.04), 402.00 - 486.67 (436.91 ± 35.53), 17.87 - 22.23 (19.23 ± 1.02), 513.00 - 582.00 (567.52 ± 19.35) and 106.67 - 138.33 (119.02 ± 8.77) for Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn respectively. The enrichment factors obtained for Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in auto-mechanical workshops were 19.54, 1.80, 29.63, 3.03, 1.80, 172.50 and 12.45 respectively. The inter-element correlation was found among metals in the soils of auto-mechanical workshops using Pearson's correlation co-efficient. There were positive correlations among the metals determined. Metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn show high degree of contamination, while Co, Mn and Ni shows low degree of contamination in the study sites