Abstract
This study was conducted to determine concentration levels of heavy metals and element in irrigated leafy vegetables and fruit cultivated at colleges’ farm along river Kumodu Gana bank, Maiduguri. Samples were obtained randomly from five locations and analysed as described by AOAC, (1990). Cadmium, copper, iron, potassium, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc were determined in plant parts of spinach (<i>Amaranthus blitum</i>), jute wallow (<i>Corchurus tridents</i>), roselle (<i>Habiscus sabdariffa</i> variety), and fruits of pepper (<i>Capsicum species</i>). The results revealed mean concentration level of each element determined in the vegetable plants studied; for cadmium had 0.80 - 3.21 µg/g, copper (0.38 - 1.58 µg/g), iron (0.27 - 1.89 µg/g), potassium (6.6 - 27.13 µg/g), manganese (0.26 - 2.42 µg/g), nickel (0.23 - 4.21 µg/g), lead (0.32 µg/g), and 0.13 - 0.74 µg/g for zinc. The magnitude of concentration levels of these elements detected in different irrigated vegetable plant parts materials’ sequential order was K > Ni > Cd > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb, the highest was potassium (K), the least was lead (Pb) and Pb was detected in roselle (<i>Habiscus sabdariffa</i> variety) only. No significance differences between the plant parts when compared their concentration levels in term of the elements determined. Their concentrations are below the recommended safe limit proposed by AOAC, EU, FAO and WHO. Hence, irrigated vegetables cultivated in the studied area were found fit, wholesome for consumption and health risk free. Further studies on the same irrigated vegetables and area are recommended.
Highlights
Urban and sub-urban foods production contributes to sense of communities [16]
The results obtained from this study revealed that, some heavy metals and other elements were screened and evaluated in some plant parts materials of four different irrigated vegetables, which consist of fruit of hot red pepper (Capsicum species) and leafy vegetables; Spinach (Amaranthus blitum), Jute wallow (Corchurus tridents) and Roselle (Habiscus sabdariffa variety)) of which were cultivated in the College Irrigation farm site
The results are presented in mean concentration levels and standard deviations of each element in each plant part material concerned as presented in the tables as follows: Table 1 shows the concentration levels of some heavy metals and elements determined in spinach leaves and stems
Summary
Urban and sub-urban foods production contributes to sense of communities [16]. It has social educationally and skill development benefits for societies, helping to nature cultural and horticultural knowledge of food production and usage. Urban and Peri – urban agriculture (UPA) is an alternative way of producing food within the cities. FOA defines UPA as “agricultural practices within and around cities which compete for resources (land, water, energy, and labour) that could serve other purposes to satisfy the food requirement of the urban population”. Food production can take place on rooftops and in backyard, community vegetable and fruit gardens and unused or public spaces [30, 8].
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