Quantification of Heavy Metals and Pesticide Residues in Widely Consumed Nigerian Food Crops Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Gas Chromatography (GC)

More still needs to be learned regards the relative contamination of heavy metals and pesticide residues, particularly those found in widely consumed Nigerian food crops like cereals, vegetables, and tubers. In this current study, the heavy metals and pesticide residues detectable in widely consumed Nigerian food crops were respectively quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography (GC). Specifically, the widely consumed Nigerian food crops included cereals (rice, millet, and maize), legume (soybean), tubers (yam and cassava), as well as leaf (fluted pumpkin, Amaranthus leaf, waterleaf, and scent leaf) and fruit vegetables (okro, cucumber, carrot, and watermelon). Results showed that the detected heavy metals included arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni), whereas the pesticide residues included Aldrin, Carbofuran, g-chlordane, Chlorpyrifos, DichloroBiphenyl, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Dichlorvos, Endosulfan, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Isopropylamine, Lindane, t-nonachlor, and Profenofos. Across the studied food crops, the concentrations of heavy metals and pesticides were varied, with different trends as they largely fell below the established maximum permissible limits, and with some exceptions. Our findings suggest there could be a somewhat gradual decline in the concentration of the heavy metals and pesticide residues of these studied food crops when compared to previously published reports specific to Nigeria. To help substantiate this observation and supplement existing information, further investigations are required into the concentration of these heavy metals and pesticide residues specific to these studied food crops at other parts of the country.

Growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of finisher broiler chickens offered nutritional supplement of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves extract

It is obvious that farmers cannot raise chicken without supplementary nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals and amino acids provided either as anti-stress, immune booster or for growth and high productivity. The high cost of these conventional supplementary nutrients is becoming very alarming leading to high cost of production and consequently high cost of poultry products. Whereas, leaves of most plants in our agroecological zone contain these nutrients and can be obtained at no cost, it is necessary to utilize them for similar purposes to reduce cost and enhance the wellbeing of the animals. Moreso, the use of these plant leaves as juice extract will enhance absorption and utilization of the nutrients and enzymes contained therein. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of supplementary fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves extract on the performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of finisher broiler chickens. 200g of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves were plucked and crushed. One litre of H2 O was used to squeeze the 2 extract (juice) from the 200g leaf. The leaf extract was further mixed (diluted) in clean drinking water at the rate of 0ml/litre of H2 O, 100ml /litre of H 2O, 200ml/litre of H20 300ml/litre of H2 O designated as T , T , T , T . In T The chickens were given conventional 2 1 3 4 5 2. supplement (vitalyte). Five groups of 30 broiler chicks (28 days old) of agritech breed were randomly assigned to one of the supplementary fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves extract and the conventional supplement for 28 days in a completely randomized design. Each group was subdivided into three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were fed normal broiler chicken finisher diet for all the groups. At the end of the 28 days dietary trial, results showed that average body weight changes and average daily body gains were significantly increased (P < 0.05) at T (200ml/litre of H 2O). Feed conversion ratio was significantly decreased (P< 0.05) at T (200ml/litre of H2 O) compared to T and T but similar to T and T . 4 2 1 5 2 3 T also showed high degree of cost effectiveness. Haematological indices (Haemoglobin 4 Packed cell volume, Red blood cell, White blood cell etc) did not show any significant treatment (P > 0.05) effects. Biochemical indices (such as total serum protein, urea, creatinine, liver enzyme, cholesterol etc) did not vary significantly (P > 0.05). It was concluded that the inclusion of Telfairia occidentalis leaf extract as an alternative supplement to costly conventional supplements should be administered orally at 200ml/litre of H 2O due to heavier body weight gain and cost effectiveness. Il est évident que les agriculteurs ne peuvent pas élever de poulet sans nutriments supplémentaires sous forme de vitamines, de minéraux et d'acides aminés fournis soit commeanti-stress, soit comme stimulant immunitaire, soit pour la croissance et une productivité élevée. Le coût élevé de ces nutriments supplémentaires conventionnels devient très alarmant, ce qui entraîne des coûts de production élevés et par conséquent des coûts élevés des produits avicoles. Alors que les feuilles de la plupart des plantes de notre zone agro écologique contiennent ces nutriments et peuvent être obtenues gratuitement, il est nécessaire de les utiliser à des fins similaires pour réduire les coûts et améliorer le bien-être des animaux. De plus, l'utilisation de ces feuilles de plantes comme extrait de jus améliorera l'absorption et l'utilisation des nutriments et des enzymes qu'elles contiennent. Une expérience a été menée pour déterminer l'effet d'un extrait supplémentaire de feuilles de citrouille cannelée (Telfairia occidentalis) sur les performances, les indices hématologiques et biochimiques sériques des poulets de chair en finition. 200g de feuilles de courge cannelée (Telfairia occidentalis) ont été cueillies et écrasées. Un litre d'H2O a été utilisé pour presser l'extrait (jus) de la feuille de 200g. L'extrait de feuille a été ensuite mélangé (dilué) dans de l'eau potable à raison de 0 ml/litre de H2O, 100 ml/litre de H2O, 200 ml/litre de H2O et 300 ml/litre de H2O désignés comme T1, T3, T4, T5. Au T2. Les poulets ont reçu un supplément conventionnel (vitalyte). Cinq groupes de 30 poussins de chair (28 jours) de race agritech ont été assignés au hasard à l'un des extraits de feuilles de citrouille cannelées supplémentaires (Telfairia occidentalis) et au supplément conventionnel pendant 28 jours dans un design complètement randomisé. Chaque groupe a été subdivisé en trois répétitions de 10 oiseaux chacune. Les oiseaux ont été nourris avec un régime alimentaire de finition de poulet à griller normal pour tous les groupes. À la fin de l'essai diététique de 28 jours, les résultats ont montré que les changements de poids corporel moyen et les gains corporels quotidiens moyens étaient significativement augmentés (P < 0,05) à T4 (200 ml/litre de H2O). Le taux de conversion alimentaire était significativement diminué (P< 0,05) à T4 (200 ml/litre de H2O) par rapport à T1 et T5 mais similaire à T2 et T3. Le T4 a également montré un haut degré de rentabilité. Les indices hématologiques (volume globulaire d'hémoglobine, globules rouges, globules blancs, etc.) n'ont montré aucun effet significatif du traitement (P > 0,05). Les indices biochimiques (tels que les protéines sériques totales, l'urée, la créatinine, les enzymes hépatiques, le cholestérol, etc.) n'ont pas varié de manière significative (P > 0,05). Il a été conclu que l'inclusion de l'extrait de feuille de Telfairia occidentalis comme supplément alternatif aux suppléments conventionnels coûteux devrait être administrée par voie orale à 200 ml/litre de H2O en raison d'un gain de poids corporel plus important et d'un rapport coût-efficacité plus élevé.

Optimization of Blended Guava and Fluted Pumpkin Leaves extract as corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in 0.5 m hydrochloric acid

There are many plant extracts that have been studied for possible use as corrosion inhibitors in the oil and gas industries. Hence, this work is focused on optimization of blended Guava and Fluted Pumpkin Leaves extract as corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in HCI using Weight loss method. Response Surface Methodology of Design Expert trial version 12 StatEase was used to design and analyze the result of the 35-run experiments. Three factor-three level was adopted in the design. Time, Temperature and Inhibitor Quantity were the independent variables, while the acid concentration of 0.5M was constant throughout the experiments and Inhibition Efficiencies were measured using IE formula. Intervals of 1 hr, 0.2g, and 10°C were chosen for the immersion time, inhibitor quantity and temperature, respectively. Phytochemical analysis carried out on the Guava and Fluted Pumpkin Leaves shows that each leaf extract contains phytochemicals which are responsible for inhibiting corrosion. Weight loss result shows that the Blended extract reduces the corrosion rate of mild steel in 0.5M HCl. Additionally, 4 experiments for Blended Extract, Fluted Pumpkin, Guava Extract and Industrial Inhibitor were carried out at optimal conditions as predicted by the software at time 4.036 hr, temperature 49.5°C, inhibitor quantity 0.487g and ratio of 59.21GE:FP40.79 Inhibition Efficiencies of the Blended, Fluted Pumpkin, Guava Extracts and Industrial Inhibitor were 93.70%, 78.14%, 63.7% and 95.18%, respectively. The results show that the blended and Industrial Inhibitor compared well with the software predicted IE of 96.085%. Therefore, the blended extract could serve as good substitute to the industrial inhibitor.

Biochemical and haematological indices of rats fed with different processed fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seeds

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seed is a perennial plant that belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. Several nutritional values of the seeds have been reported. In this present study, thirty rats (average weight= 133 g ± 1.25 g) were randomly allocated to 5 groups of 6 rats each and placed on a conventional diet supplemented with groundnut meal (control), unprocessed fluted pumpkin seed flour (UF_Diet), boiled fluted pumpkin seed flour (BF_Diet), germinated fluted pumpkin seed flour (GF_Diet), and soaked fluted pumpkin feed flour (SF_Diet) for 28 days after which animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for biochemical and haematological analysis. Results revealed that processing improved the protein content of the seed flours. The aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) range from 210.70±2.14 to 517.5±5.39 U/L, 60.6±0.30 to 386.3±3.53 U/L, and 221.7±1.21 to 328.4±3.31 U/L respectively. Processing significantly decreased (p< 0.05) the creatinine content of rats fed supplemented fluted pumpkin seed flours when compare with the control and unprocessed groups. The hematological parameters were also significantly (p<0.05) improved by the dietary treatments. The result of this study revealed that germination, soaking, and boiling were effective processing methods for improving the nutritive values of fluted pumpkin seed meals

Haematological Indices and Carcass Composition of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings Fed with Fluted Pumpkin Leaf (Telfairia Occidentalis) as Feed Additives

A feeding trial was carried out for 56 days to ascertain the effects of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) as a feed additive on the haematological profile and nutrients value of Clarias gariepinus carcass. C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean body weight 9.6g) were randomly distributed in plastic bowls at nine fish per bowl in triplicates. Five diets designated as D1 to D5 with 40% crude protein containing 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200g/kg of T. occidentalis leaf powder were fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings at 5% body weight per day. The results showed that T. occidentalis additive significantly (P≤0.05) improved the haematological parameters of the fish. The mean value of white blood cells (WBC) count (μL) in the diets fed with T. occidentalis were significantly higher (D2-D5 : 870.20, 864.80, 840.30, 876.40, respectively) than the diet without T. occidentalis (D1 783.15). A similar trend was observed in PCV, MCV, MCHC, MCH, and platelets. However, HB D1 (control) had higher values than the diet containing T. occidentalis. Meanwhile, in carcass quality, there was an increase in the crude protein of all the fish but the group that consumed T. occidentalis had a higher carcass crude protein and lower lipid, while the control had a higher lipid value. Meanwhile, the initial values obtained before the feeding trials had lower crude protein and higher lipid value when compared with the fish that was fed with the experimental diet. In conclusion, T. occidentalis leaf meal can be utilized to improve the haematological parameters of the fish, with an increase in the WBC there is a high possibility of the fish to withstand pathogenic attacks because Blood is a major parameter that determines the physiological, immune , and nutritional status of an organism, also WBC are important blood constituents for defense against diseases, pathogens and unwanted foreign bodies in an organism.

Utilization of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Seed Milk for the Production of Textured Vegetable Protein

textured vegetable proteins (tofu) using two coagulants namely: lime and calcium sulphide. The textured vegetable proteins were analyzed for their proximate composition and sensory properties. Proximate composition of the texture vegetable proteins revealed a range of 13.67-15.04% moisture, 1.39-3.51% ash, 16.56-21.32% fat, 34.75-48.00% crude protein, 6.64-14.21% crude fibre and 4.34-16.22% carbohydrate. Soymilk curd coagulated with calcium sulphide had higher ash and protein contents while fluted pumpkin seed milk curd coagulated with calcium sulphide had significantly (p<0.05) higher fat and crude fibre contents. There was no significant (p<0.05) difference in the crude protein, moisture, and carbohydrate content of the textured vegetable proteins. Mean sensory scores of the curds showed a range of 4.40-6.70 for colour, 5.05-6.50 for aroma, 3.20-5.20 for taste, 3.95-6.15 for texture, 3.55-6.25 for flavour and 4.18-6.65 for overall acceptability. The sensory result showed that soybean milk coagulated with calcium sulphide was the most preferred sample for all sensory attributes. Fluted pumpkin milk coagulated with calcium sulphide also had sensory attributed comparable with the of soybean milk coagulated with calcium sulphide. Mean sensory scores of fluted pumpkin seed milk and soybean milk curds coagulated with calcium sulphide were more preferred than the samples coagulated with lime juice. The study therefore recommends the use of fluted pumpkin seed milk coagulated with calcium sulphide for the production of tofu with sensory attributes and nutrient content comparable with soybean tofu.

Effect of Fermentation and Mango Mesocarp or Fluted Pumpkin Powders on the Chemical Composition and Potential Mineral Bioavailability of Sorghum-Based Complementary Foods

The effect of fermentation, mango mesocarp or fluted pumpkin leaf powders on the chemical properties and potential mineral bioavailability of sorghum-based complementary foods was investigated. Samples were formulated based on 16% protein to satisfy the nutrient requirement of preschool children to obtain non-fermented sorghum/mango mesocarp/crayfish (NFSMC), non-fermented sorghum/fluted pumpkin leaf/crayfish (NFSPC), fermented sorghum/ mango mesocarp/crayfish (FSMC) and fermented sorghum/ fluted pumpkin leaf /crayfish (FSPC). Some physico-chemical properties of the blends were analysed using standard procedures. Moisture (10.22–10.99%) and carbohydrate (78.73-79.89%). The protein (15.84-16.91%), fibre (0.07-0.08%) and ash (2.07-2.15%) were within the recommended limits. Fat contents ranged from 2.00-2.16% and energy values ranged from 401.40 to 402.10 kCal. Fermentation did not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) affect the proximate composition of the products. The mineral values for magnesium (53.25-61.60%), sodium (32.06-46.30%), potassium (20.80-44.66%), calcium (198.60-230.30%) and phosphorus (98.99-101.50%) with no significant (p ≥ 0.05) difference in most of the products. The iron and copper values ranged from 10.03-17.09% and 0.42-1.43% respectively. Mineral ratios for the products ranged from 0.74 – 2.19 for Na/K, 1.96 – 2.71 for Ca/P and 3.69 – 5.07 for Ca/Mg. The tannins content ranged from 20.23 to 51.51 mg/100 g, phytate (7.25-22.16 mg/100 g), oxalate (5.50 to 14.37 mg.100 g), pH (6.20 to 7.80) and beta-carotene ranged from 724.50 - 1215.40 µg/100 g with significant (p<0.05) difference between the blends. The molar ratios of the blends, except NFSMC, indicated good potential for mineral bioavailability.