DETERMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOME BRANDS OF GREEN TEA USING WET DIGESTION, INFUSION AND DRY ASHING METHODS

The concentrations of trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ni) in some commercially available brands of green tea sold within Katsina metropolis coded (SGT, HGT, LGT, AGT and GGT) were determined using wet acid digestion, water infusion, and Dry Ashing methods by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Among the trace elements analyzed Nickel and Manganese recorded the highest value ranged 1.0 – 3.5 mg kg-1 and1.0 – 5.5 mg kg-1 in dry ashing and wet digestion respectively. Fortunately, almost all the elements analyzed were within the standard permissible limit of WHO. The content of trace elements was found highest in the Dry Ashing method and lowest values recorded in tea infusion. The contributory factors responsible for the differences found in tea samples could be from a varying concentration of metals in the soil, conditions of cultivation and preparations, and these vary between both countries of origin and for the type of tea. Further work is recommended on these brands to study other important parameters

Arsenic and Cadmium Risk Assessment in a Domestic Wastewater Irrigated Area Using Samples of Water, Soil and Forages as Indicators

The recent research was performed to investigate the toxicity of As and Cd in suburban area of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Water, soil and forage samples were collected for this purpose in summer and winter season and analysis was done via wet digestion to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals. The mean concentration of As and Cd in water was found above the permissible maximum limit. Mean concentration of Cd in soil and forages was lower than the allowed limit whereas As which was higher than the PML in forages. So, continuous use of domestic wastewater for irrigation purpose should be avoided in order to secure the area from any hazard in near future.

Proximate and micronutrient compositions of four different cultivars of aubergine (Solanum melongena)

Aubergine or Garden egg is a vegetable commonly chewed as such and served as kolanut within the southeast part of Nigeria. The aim of the study is to determine the proximate and micronutrient compositions of four different cultivars of aubergine (Solanum melongena). Four cultivars of aubergine, namely Solanum anguivi - A, Solanum aethiopicum (gilo group) - B, Solanum macrocarpon - C, and Solanum aethiopicum (kumba group) - D, were purchased from the Eke-ukwu market in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Proximate compositions were determined using the standard AOAC methods. Mineral determination was carried out by using methods incorporating wet digestion while Vitamins were determined by using specific methods appropriate for each vitamin. The proximate analysis results of the samples showed that moisture content ranged from 80.29% for sample C to 90.63% for sample B; fat ranged from 1.40 (sample A) to 4.00 (sample C); Ash: 0.52 - 0.76 (C - A); Protein: 3.94 - 8.31 (A - C); Crude fibre: 2.02 - 2.86 (C - A); Carbohydrate: 0.47 - 4.86 (B - C). The micro-nutrient compositions showed that vitamin A ranged from 475.18i.u. (sample B) to 528.06i.u. (sample A); Vitamin C: 908.6 - 2929.65 mg/100g (A - C); Calcium: 97.95 - 586.02ppm (D - A); Magnesium: 80.63 - 106.31ppm (B - A); Iron: 10.14 - 14.97ppm (C - A). The four cultivars of aubergine contained fair amounts of macronutrients in addition to the substantial amounts of micronutrients. In all, Solanum anguivi cultivar was the richest of the four in nutrient compositions, and, therefore, the most preferred.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Local Chickens sold at Central Markets in Ado-Ekiti, Akure and Owena Towns

Local chickens sold in the central markets of Ado-Ekiti, Akure and Owena were randomly sampled and slaughtered. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in their blood and selected organs (intestine, heart, liver and gizzard) were isolated using wet digestion and their concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Apart from the blood of chickens from Ado-Ekiti and Owena where Pb was not detected, its concentrations in the blood and organs of the chickens obtained from the three towns ranged from 2.00 to 7.33 mg/kg, exceeding the maximum tolerance levels (0.1 mg/kg) in internal organs of poultry birdsset by EU, ANZFA and FAO/WHO. With the exception of intestine of chickens from the three towns, Cd was only detected in the heart, blood and gizzard of chickens from Akure as well as liver and gizzard of chickens from Owena, covering a range of 0.11 to 0.67 mg/kg. The upper limit exceeded the maximum limits (0.5 mg/kg) according to FAO/WHO. Zn was detected in all selected parts of chickens from the three towns ranging 5.67 to 183.17 mg/kg. Its concentrations were within the permissible limit(10-50 mg/kg) by EU and FAO/WHO in certain selected parts of some chickens while it exceededthe permissible limit (150 mg/kg) by ANZFA especially in the liver of chicken from Ado-Ekiti. Some organs and blood of local chickens sold in the central markets at Ado-Ekiti, Akure and Owena may pose health risks.

A Rapid Mercury Droplet Electrode Polarography Method for Determination of Blood Lead Level in Lead Poisoned People

Background Lead is a hazardous heavy metal, which causes many problems in the human body. Unfortunately, recent reports showed that smugglers and opium sellers add lead to drugs during the production procedure in order to increase its weight and cost. Purpose The aim of this study was development of a rapid and accurate method for measurement of blood lead levels (BLL) in the oral and inhaled opiate abuser people. Methods BLL in samples obtained from the oral and inhaled opium addicted patients referring to Sina Hospital in Tabriz, Iran, during 2017 was compared with healthy control group (N=15). The wet digestion method was used to prepare whole blood and Mercury Droplet Electrode Polarography (MDEP) method was utilized for measurement of the lead content of digested samples. Results Results showed that there were significant differences between the BLL of samples obtained from oral (17.12±74.61 μg/dL, p<0.0003) and inhaled (19.33±2.257 μg/dL, p<0.0001) opium addicted groups in comparison with healthy control group (4.669±0.3367 μg/dL). Conclusion Based on the results of this study it was observed that BLL in opium addicted people needs to be measured as soon as possible. Furthermore, screening of blood lead concentrations in opium-addicted people with a rapid and accurate MDEP method is very necessary and important.