Determination of total phenolic amount of some edible fruits and vegetables

Total phenolic content of some fruits and vegetables namely; garden egg (Allium sativvum L.), ducanut (Irvingia wombolu), lemon (Citrus limonia), garden egg (Solanum melongena), grape (Citrus paradise) and carrot (Daucus carota L.) purchased from an open market in Benin City, Nigeria were determined. The results obtained showed that ducanut had the highest amount of total phenolics (98.77 ìg/g), gallic acid equivalent (GAE), while the lowest amount determined (5.75 ìg/g) GAE was in the grape fruit.These values were generally lower than similar studies conducted elsewhere

Evaluation of physicochemical properties and distribution of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni in soils and growing plants around refuse dumpsites in Akure, Nigeria

The physicochemical properties and distribution of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni in soils and growing plants around refuse dumpsites in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria were evaluated to ascertain the impact of the wastes on these soil quality indices and edible plants. The soils close to the dumpsites were more acidic (pH, 5.50) compared with the soils away (25.0 m) from the sites. Also there were corresponding increases in the organic carbon and cation exchange capacities of the soil indicating measurable levels of biodegradability of the wastes. Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni have maximum concentrations of 23.00, 2.91, 9.00 and24.00 mg/kg respectively in the soils. The amount of Cd determined in the soils was consistent with the critical level obtained for agricultural soils. Results obtained from the plant tissues analysed showedthat 0.84 mg/kg Pb was detected in the root of Zea mays, while 0.25 mg/kg Ni was obtained in the root of Sorghum vulgare. Talinum triangulare and Amaranthus crucantus did not possess detectable levels of these metals. The present study has justified the need to continually assess the quality of soils, and the concentration of certain heavy/toxic metals in growing plants around refuse dumpsites