CADMIUM

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, mercury and oxidative stress status of tomatoes sold in local markets in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Fresh tomatoes samples were brought from Uselu and Ikpoba hill market in Benin City. The samples were oven-dried at 105°C for 24 hour and grinded to powder. The powdered samples were dissolved in deionized water, filter through whatman filter paper and the volume was made up to 25 ml using 10 ml of 98% nitric acid. The resulting solution was analysed for the presences of heavy metal using using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Perkin Elmer model 2130). The results showed that the nickel concentration present fresh tomatoes samples obtained from the two markets ranged from 0.13 mg/kg to 0.16 mg/kg, while the cadmium concentration ranged from 0.11 mg/kg to 0.13 mg/kg. However when compared to W.H.O standard the heavy metal concentration were slightly above the recommended value of 0.10 mg/kg. Also oxidative stress analysis showed that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) value ranged from 3.02 U/g to 3.48 U/g, Catalase (CAT) value ranged from 0.08 U/g to 0.10 U/g , Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) value ranged from 4.96 U/g to 5.73 U/g, while Malondialdehyde (MDA) value ranged from 0.50 U/g to 0.64 U/g respectively. These findings were indicative of environmental pollution due to industrial and vehicular emissions and also the mode of handing and processing of the samples. Although the heavy metals detected in this study are not beneficial to man and plant, low concentration can prove detrimental to health.

Garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) is a staple vegetable in Nigeria, but concerns exist regarding potential heavy metal contamination and its impact on consumer health. This study investigated the presence of heavy metals (nickel, cadmium, and mercury) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) in garden egg samples collected from two markets (Uselu and Ikpoba Hill) in Benin City, Nigeria. A health risk assessment was conducted to estimate the potential health risks associated with nickel exposure. Garden egg samples (n=15) were purchased from each market. Samples were homogenized, and aliquots were used for eavy metal analysis via atomic absorption spectrometry, and oxidative stress marker assays (using standard protocols for MDA, GPx, SOD, and CAT activity measurement). The ean concentrations of Ni in Ikpoba Hill and Uselu Market were [0.032 ± 0.070] and [0.038 ± 0.068] respectively. The activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and MDA from Ikpoba Hill were 3.291 ± 0.792], [0.098 ± 0.058], [8.274 ± 2.043], and [0.728 ± 0.208] respectively, while for Uselu Market were [3.311 ± 0.938], [0.076 ± 0.020], [4.580 ± 1.287], and [0.668 ± 0.185] respectively. Relatively low levels of nickel were detected in both markets, while cadmium and mercury were undetectable. The Uselu market samples exhibited signifi antly higher levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, and lower glutathione peroxidase activity, an antioxidant enzyme, compared to samples from Ikpoba Hill market. The reference dose (RfD) for nickel established by the US EPA and daily vegetable consumption recommendations from the WHO were used to estimate daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) for nickel exposure. The estimated daily intake and hazard quotient for nickel exposure from garden egg consumption were well below established safety thresholds, suggesting a low potential for non-carcinogenic health risks at the measured levels. These findings indicate minimal immediate health risks from heavy metal contamination in garden eggs sold at these markets. However, the observed variations in oxidative stress markers suggest potential differences in garden egg quality between the markets. Further research is needed to explore the factors influencing these variations, such as storage practices or agricultural techniques. Continued onitoring of heavy metal content in garden eggs is also recommended to ensure consumer safety.

This study investigated the protective effects of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) rind extract against cadmium-induced toxicity,on lipid profiles in Wistar rats. Twenty rats were divided into five groups: a control, a cadmium-only group, a cadmium with vitamin C group, and two groups receiving cadmium along with watermelon rind extract at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Results showed that cadmium exposure significantly suppressed weight gain and induced dyslipidemia, expressed by elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Treatment with the hydroethanolic watermelon rind extract, particularly at the 500 mg/kg dose, ameliorated these effects, resulting in a significant increase in percentage weight gain and a normalization of the lipid profile, comparable to the protective effects of vitamin C. The extract did not significantly reduce blood cadmium levels, suggesting its mechanism is likely cyto protection through antioxidant activity rather than metal chelation. The results show that watermelon rind phytowaste possesses bioactive compounds that can mitigate cadmium induced metabolic disturbances.