VEGETABLES

In this study, the levels of tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in soil and vegetables were examined, as well as the potential health risks of eating vegetables obtained from areas around second cemetery, Iyakpen, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected with hand auger from 0 – 20cm depth, air-dried, powdered, and sieved. Four different vegetables (mango, orange, potato and bitter-leaf) were also were randomly collected from around the cemetery and transported to University of Benin Civil engineering laboratory, Benin City, Nigeria, for sample preparation. The vegetables were washed with distilled water to remove any traces of dirt, separated, air-dried and further dried in oven for 72 h at 65 °C to attain constant weight. The dried leaves were then pounded with a mortar and pestle and converted to powder and stored each in a plastic bag for analysis. The soil and vegetable samples were analyzed with a wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (SKYRAY INSTRUMENT EDX3600B). Health risk indication parameters (health risk index, daily intake of heavy metals and target health quotient) were evaluated.

Vegetables are plant parts consumed by humans and some animals as food, and they include leaves, roots, and stems or stalks. These parts can become contaminated with gastrointestinal parasites, thereby predisposing individuals to various diseases. The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of parasites in selected leafy vegetables sold in Ugbodiobo market, Odighi Market, Ugo-Niyekarhiomwom old farm market and Ekiohuon (Ekehuan) market located in Benin City, Edo State). A total of 330 vegetable samples were examined for parasitic presence. Standard parasitological procedure was employed by sedimentation technique. The result revealed that there was even distribution of parasites; A. lumbricoides (21%), S. stercoralis (9%), Hookworm (13%), T. trichiura (13%), G. lamblia (10%), E. histolytica (25%) E. vermicularis (9%). The largest number of parasites in these local markets of Benin city was determined on spinach leaf. Percentage parasite occurrence on other leaves varied significantly (P<0.05). The highest parasites recorded on scent leaf was A. lumbricoides (46%), on pumpkin leaf was A. lumbricoides (29%), on cabbage was E. histolytica (44%), on Eboziza leaf was E. histolytica (30%), A. lumbricoides (28%) and S. stercoralis (24%) on Ebewewie leaf was A. lumbricoides (38%), on curry leaf was A. lumbricoides (46%) on Waterleaf was E. histolytica (36%) and A. lumbricoides (32%). The overall highest para sites on leafy vegetable was A. lumbricoides (31%) and E. histolytica (27%)