Effect of Gas Flaring on the Phytochemical and Nutritional Composition of Treculia africana and Vigna subterranean

Abstract

Aims:The effect of petroleum exploration and exploitation activities on the phytochemical and nutritional composition of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) and Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranean) harvested from polluted and unpolluted environment were studied. Study Design: Plant samples were collected from Izombe, an environment highly polluted by gas flaring and Eziobodo, an environment not known for gas flare exposures. Both locations are within the (Niger-Delta) rain forest region of Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: The processed samples were subjected to proximate and phytochemical screening. The vitamins, micro and macro minerals contents were determined using standard biochemical methods and equipment. Results: Some of the phytochemicals and nutritional contents showed varying levels of significant difference (P<0.05) in samples from the two localities. Bambara groundnuts from polluted area was significantly lower (P<0.05) in moisture, ash, protein and carbohydrate when compared to samples from unpolluted environment. The concentrations of antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate, tannin and cyanogenic glycoside were significantly higher (P<0.

Effect of drying conditions and solvent type on the physicochemical composition of African breadfruit (Treculia africana)

“…One-Way ANOVA at P <0.05 gave F value (3380.66) > critical F value (2.534) showing that the proximate composition of the breadfruit samples varies significantly with the solvent type and drying method. The mean total ash content was 3.56% which is slightly higher than 2% (Ogunleye and Parakoyi, 1992), 1.2% (Dalziel, 1937), 2.80% (Nwabueze and Uchendu, 2011) and 2.13% (Ujowundu et al, 2013) recorded as ash contents in breadfruit samples of similar researches and comparable to 3.24 reported by Akubor and co-workers (Akubor et al, 2000). The ash content indicates the nutritional value and product quality of food (Kirk and Sawyer, 1998).…”

“…The crude fibre contents (1.04-1.31%) are appreciable and it has been reported that consumption of diet rich in fibre can reduce the incidence of colon cancer and antherosclerosis since they lower blood cholesterol level (Hamilton and Bhati, 2003;Ujowundu et al, 2013). In addition, the mean protein content of the samples was 12.28% which is comparable to 13.56% (Nwabueze and Uchendu, 2011), 13.07% (Ujowundu et al, 2013) but lower than 18.17% (Oyenuga, 1968) recorded as protein content of breadfruit samples in related studies.…”

A Review of Impacts of Gas Flaring on Vegetation and Water Resources in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…For instance, Ifemeje [82] reported gas flaring could change the anti-nutrient compositions (alkaloid, phytate, oxalate, Saponin, tannin and cyanogenic glycosides) in some common vegetables used for food purposes such as scent leaf, bitter leaf, water leaf and fluted pumpkin leaf. Ujowundu et al [83] also reported impacts in phytochemical (alkaloid, tannin, cyanogenic glycoside, phytate), proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein and carbohydrate), micronutrients (calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus) and vitamins (riboflavin, vitamin E and C) in African breadfruit and Bambara groundnuts planted close to gas flaring stack. Anacletus et al [84] also reported that phytochemical (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins) and trace metal (iron, lead, cadmium and zinc) constituents of fluted pumpkin could be affected by gas flaring.…”

Quantitative Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals in Fish Roasted with Firewood, Waste Tyres and Polyethylene Materials

“…This implies abundant energy for domestic and industries uses. However, due to poor and outdated technology and/or poor investment on modern technology great percentage of gas reserves are flared as waste during crude oil exploration and exploitation by petroleum industries operating in Nigeria [1,2]. Also industrialization has led to the pollution of aquatic and terrestrial environment [3].…”

“…The routes of exposure to PAHs are from inhalation of ambient and indoor air, exhaust fumes or ingestion of food [1,2,7,8]. PAHs, notably benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) have been reported to disturb the antioxidant defense system and it is also responsible for the induction of oxidative stress [9].…”