No abstract

This study evaluated the chemical forms of heavy metals contamination in soil, its level in vegetables and the health risks for resident farmers within vicinity of Pb-Zn mining site in Enyigba Community, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Soil and vegetable samples were obtained from mapped farmlands within the vicinity of the mining sites and farmlands in non-mining site as control and analyzed using standard analytical protocols. The results showed high % association of Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn in non-residual fraction and high % association of Cu, Cr and Ni in residual fraction, the order of % mobility and bioavailability of the metals were: Pb > Cd > Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu. Results of geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated that the mine site soils were moderately to strongly polluted with Cd Cu, Pb and Zn while the control site was unpolluted with any of the metals. The results also indicated that the vegetables and indeed the ingestion route was the most significant contributor to non-carcinogenic risk followed by dermal contact and then inhalation. Total Hazard index (THI) for adult and children for all the studied metals were 1.68 and 4.50 respectively for Ishiagu-Enyigba site, 1.42 and 3.98 respectively for Elinwobvu-Enyigba site and 0.68 and 1.91 respectively for Ekawoke (control) site and these exceeded the safe level (>1). The total cancer risk were 1.51 X 10 -6 , 1.06 X 10 -6 and 2.14X 10 -7 for Ishiagu-Enyigba, Elinwobvu-Enyigba and control site respectively and they all fall within and below the threshold safe range (10 -6 -10 -4 ) set by United States Environmental Protection Agency. These results strongly indicated non-carcinogenic risk of soil multiple heavy metals toxicity to humans especially in children. This calls for suitable policy for effective management of the environmental risk to ensure favourable public health.

This study investigated the levels of lead, selenium, arsenic, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium, cadmium and nickel in honey and their potential health risks to consumers using standard protocols. The honey samples were obtained from apiary farms at nine different locations in southeast Nigeria. They were digested at optimal conditions and analyzed using flame absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) (Buck scientific model 210VGP, USA). The results showed that the elemental levels in the honey varied relative to the sample source but were all below European commission maximum permissible limits except for lead whose level in some samples exceeded the recommended set limit. Estimated daily intake of the elements via ingestion of the honey studied were all below the maximum permissible limit set by European Food Safety Authority except for Arsenic whose values in some samples slightly exceeded the set limit. Estimated health risk values for the elements quantified in the honey studied were higher in children than adults in all the samples. The hazard quotient (HQ) for Arsenic, hence, hazard index (HI) for the elements pointed at significant risk (HQ or HI > 1) for children for some of the honey samples studied. Arsenic was the major contributor to incremental lifetime cancer risk (CR) as its estimated value for children in all the honey samples exceeded United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) threshold limit (CR > 1.0 x 10 -4 ), hence, total cancer risk (TCR) values for the carcinogenic elements indicated absolute unacceptable risk level for children based on USEPA threshold limit.

No abstract

The numerous challenges and detrimental effects connected with the treatment of peptic ulcers in the world today calls for alternative attention. Ethnomedicinally, Dialium guineense pulp (DAGP) has numerous pharmacological activities. This study investigated the antiulcer activities of Dialium guineense pulp on gastric mucosa injury induced with aspirin in albino Wistar rats. DAGP extract was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw (mg per kg of the body weight) per day for 3 or 7 days followed by 400 mg/kg bw oral aspirin administration. Ulcer indices were determined, followed by a biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzymes using gastric mucosal tissue from the stomach. Student's t-test was used to compare significant differences among groups of animals at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that Dialium guineense pulp caused a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the ulcer index in aspirin induced rats. This decrease in ulcer index is dose dependent and 1000 mg/kg bw per day caused the highest decrease in 7 days. The results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in lipid peroxidation and a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in antioxidant enzymes activities in the aspirin-induced ulcerated rats. Oral administration of DAGP increased antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased injury in the gastric mucosa in ulcer induced rats. Therefore, this study showed that DAGP exhibited anti-ulcer potential and that the gastrointestinal protection may be through the scavenging action of free radicals by its constituent antioxidants. Thus, Dialium guineense pulp has ameliorative medicinal potential for the curing of gastric disorders.

ABSTRACT

The nutrients and chemical contents of Persea americana, Dacryodes edulis, and Canarium scheinfurthi fruits and partial characterization of their seed oils were carried out to ascertain their nutritional benefits. The fruit pulps were analyzed for chemical (proximate) composition, amino acids profile, vitamins, and phytochemical and anti-nutritional compositions. Oils were extracted from the fruit seeds and the physico-chemical properties of the seed oils were determined according to the standard protocols. The results showed that the fruit pulps contained an abundance of macro- and micro-nutrients which varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the varieties with low anti-nutrients. The essential amino acid contents were high and varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the varieties. Glutamic acid, followed by aspartic acid had the highest concentration of the amino acids, while the concentrations of methionine and cysteine were low in all the varieties. The results also revealed high essential amino acids score values, above 100% for isoleucine and total aromatic amino acids. The physicochemical properties of the fruit oils showed that the oils were edible (low acid value) and may have industrial potential due to their low peroxide, iodine, and saponification values. Overall, the results showed that the pears are nutritionally rich and could serve dietetic and industrial purposes.