Determination of Heavy Metals and Phytochemical Analysis of Some Selected Vegetables Grown at Kalambaina Area Sokoto

Abstract

Heavy metals and phytochemicals were investigated in some selected vegetables grown at Kalambaina area of Sokoto. The levels of heavy metals and phytochemicals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (AAS) and standard analytical procedures respectively. The concentration of heavy metals were found to be higher in Amarantus specie. Pb; (1.330 ± 0.0014 mg/kg),   Ni; (0.280 ± 0.0011 mg/kg), Cr; (0.110 ± 0.0012 mg/kg), Cd; (0.003 ± 0.0001 mg/kg) and spinacea oleracea Pb; (0.220 ± 0.0011 mg/kg), Ni; (0.020 ± 0.0002 mg/kg), Cr; (0.100 ± 0.0011 mg/kg) Cd; (0.010 ± 0.0001 mg/kg), however, low concentrations were observed in Allium cepa Pb; (0.080 ± 0.0011 mg/kg), Ni; (0.003 ± 0.0001 mg/kg), Cr; (0.130 ± 0.0020 mg/kg), Cd; (0.005 ± 0.0002 mg/kg). The results of the study for the three (3) vegetables revealed the concentrations of the heavy metals are  within the World Health Organization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) safe limits guidelines with the exception of Cr and Pb. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts of the vegetables showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics and terpenoids. Therefore, this study revealed that the vegetables can be use as efficient source of secondary metabolites.