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ABSTRACT
This research study is entitled, comparative determination of heavy metals (cadmium) contents in fluted pumpkin grown between trailer park and eleme junction. Analysis of the metal (Cadmium Cd,) ions content of fluted pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) cultivated along trailer park and Eleme junction was done using atomic absorption Spectrophotometery (AAS). The results show the mean concentration of heavy metals in T. occidentalis leaves samples from various regions as: Trailer park, 1.87mg/kg, near Ebubu eleme <0.001mg/kg, Akpajo; 1.67mg/kg, Akpajo junction; <0.05mg/kg, Eleme junction 1.67mg/kg, and from Eleme junction was <0.001mg/kg. The load of heavy metals in fluted pumpkin leaves’ samples increased in the order of their concentrations as; 0.001<1.67<1.69<1.87 from trailer park to Eleme junction. Conclusively, the region of trailer park was found to be highly polluted with Cadmium ions in the leaves. The concentrations of other metals in the vegetables were below Codex WHO limits while Cadmium (Cd), values exceeded the permissible limits in vegetable samples of WHO. Thus, it is recommended that, respective environmental agencies should continuously monitor the heavy metal content of food crops cultivated along the area of trailer park and Eleme junction in Rivers state.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.
The source of heavy metal in plants is the environment in which they grow and the soil from which heavy metals are taken up by roots or foliage (Okonkwo et al., 2005). Plants grown in polluted environments can accumulate heavy metals in high concentration causing serious risk to human health when consumed. Heavy metals are toxic because they tend to bio-accumulate in plants and animals, bio-concentrate in the food chain and attack specific organs in the body (Chatterjee and Chatterjee, 2000; Akinola et al., 2008). Living organisms require trace amounts of some heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu,) for proper growth and development, however at excessive levels they can pose a health risk to humans and have environmental effects on aquatic organisms (Kisamo, 2003).
Fluted pumpkins are tropical vine plants grown in West Africa as leaf vegetable, and are indigenous to southern parts of Nigeria (Akoroda, 1990). They are grown mainly for use in soup and herbal medicine, as the young shoots and leaves are known to contain high levels of K and Fe, while the seeds are composed of 23% crude proteins and 53% fats (Aiyelaagbe and Kintomo, 2002). The leaves, popularly used for anaemic patients, are known to contain high amounts of antioxidants and possess hepato-protective and antimicrobial properties (Nwanna, 2008). The roots are potent poisons to humans and are not consumed (Akoroda, 1990).
The plant is resistant to pest and can be store in the ground for several months after maturity until it is needed, once harvested the storage life of the peel which is not a storage organ or dormancy is limited, and in many countries it is processed for storage by clipping or flaking and drying large amount of dried yams are exported to Europe from Thailand and other countries as a source of carbohydrate for animal feed. These characteristics make it an excellent small holder crop and one of the most promising sources of starch for alcohol fuel. Also, the foliage can be used for animal feed (and human food in some culture). The biological and toxic roles of heavy metals have been studied extensively in recent times. The result of which has contributed to various remedial actions taken up by government to improve the quality of the environment. Human exposures to these toxic metals are usually through the consumption of polluted plants grown on polluted soil as well as the consumption of polluted surface water. Oil exploration and gas flaring are possible causes of environmental hazard.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.
A major concern of buyers and sellers of fluted gourd is pod rot. This includes intense rot of the pods It is most common for the affected areas of the pod to appear brown in colour, indicating a contamination by R. stolonifer or Erwina. However, the infected area may also appear black (indicating the presence of Aspergillis niger) or grey (B. theobromae). Other symptoms associated with the presence of these pathogens include softening of the pod tissue accompanied by a pungent odor, or watery fluid in the fruit. Pod rot can be reduced by avoiding damage to the fruit during harvest and transport. The concern and nutritional value to the consumers of the plant has also contributed to why the metallic contents of the plant should be reviewed in this study.
Human exposures to heavy metals in fluted pumpkin (vegetable plants ) have been the focus of increasing attention among researchers, health and nutrition experts due to their impact on public health. Green Leafy Vegetables (GLVs) are important part of diets in the South-South Region of Nigeria. Consumption of vegetables exposed to heavy metal contamination may be of serious health consequences. Green Leafy Vegetables (GLV’s) are predominantly known for their high nutritional content and are mostly consumed for their health and nutritional benefits. In the South-South region of Nigeria (Trailer park and Eleme junction precisely), domestic vegetable gardening is a common practice because GLVs constitute a major component of the diets and is of great economic values.
Therefore, it is important to current researchers in plant pathology and other related sections in this discipline to accurately provide measures on how to reduce the contamination of fluted pumpkins between the areas of trailer park and Eleme junction.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY.
These objectives are;
To determine the quality of the fluted pumpkin.
To identify the metallic contents of the fluted pumpkin .
To reduce the level of contamination or infection of the plants pod.
To determine the medical implication or effects of the heavy metals in fluted pumpkin on human health’s.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.
Heavy metal pollution is of significant ecological/environmental concern. This is due to the fact that they are not easily biodegradable or metabolized, thus precipitating far reaching effects on the biological system such as human, animals, plants and other soil biota (Yoon, 2003). Researchers have also stressed that these metals could bio-accumulate in crops, especially when cultivated along construction sites and are consumed by man and livestock (Tulonen et al., 2006). Human exposures to heavy metals have been the focus of increasing attention among researchers, health and nutrition experts due to their impact on public health.
However, the success of these starch crops as staple foods limits their potential development and general economic growth, for instance, cassava which has become an important bio-fuel crop is a crop crucial for food security especially in Nigeria. The implication of this is that threats to food security exist in the face of growing fuel ethanol demand. Perhaps, the diversion of food resource to bio-fuel production may to a large extent have fuelled the current food crises worldwide (Srinorakutara et al., 2008).
1.5 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The objective of this work is to investigate the heavy metal content of fluted pumpkin leaves cultivated at trailer park and Eleme junction with regard to its suitability and safety for human consumption.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY.
This research work involves the comparative determination of heavy metals content in flutal pumpkin grown between trailer park and Eleme junction. Thereafter an analysis test was made to determine physical and chemical properties of cassava and yam peelings for the production of bio-ethanol as fuel. The fluted gourd has been traditionally used by indigenous tribes as a blood tonic, likely due to its high protein content. Flour produced from the seeds can be used for high-protein breads.
Furthermore, the shoots and leaves can be consumed as vegetables. When T. occidentalis is prepared for herbal medicine, it is used to treat sudden attack of convulsion, malaria, and anaemia; it also plays a vital and protective role in cardiovascular diseases. The study will therefore focus its attention on the use of pumpkin fruit investigate the heavy metal content of fluted pumpkin leaves cultivated at trailer park and Eleme junction.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY.
The research study is limited to investigating the heavy metal content of fluted pumpkin leaves cultivated around trailer park and Eleme junction as it sold in the market. Also, it is strictly limited by both financial and time factors which constrained the period of the work so far.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The meaning of some terms used in the study is explained below;
CONTENT: This simply refers to the amount of pollutants or substances which are contained in the seeds or pericarp of the pumpkin.
COMPARATIVE: This is a way of identifying the similarities or differences between the various constituents or sources of a substances.
FLUTED: Is a type or form of the T. Occidentalis that contains soft fruited seeds covered by its waxy shell used for planting.
FLUTED PUMPKIN: Is a tropical vine grown in West Africa as a leaf vegetable and for its edible seeds.
HEAVY: Is the level of a substance or specimen that cannot be easily dissolved into simple usable forms.
HEAVY METALS: These are metals which when consumed through food substances would hardly dissolve into simple absorbable form by tissue cells.
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