Heavy Metal Contents and Microbial Flora of Fresh Leaves of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfaria Occidentalis) Collected from Road-Side Open Markets in Benin Metropolis, Midwestern Nigeria

Beckley Ikhajiagbe, Ujomonigho E Odigie, Joy I Oghogho and Osazuwa Omoregbee

The International Journal of Biotechnology, 2013, vol. 2, issue 2, 52-58

Abstract: The present study investigated heavy metal contents and microbial flora of fresh leaves of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) collected from road-side open markets in Benin Metropolis, Midwestern Nigeria. Seven roadside open stall markets were randomly selected in 4 Local Government Areas in Benin Metropolis, Southern Nigeria. Results of the present study showed varying bioaccumulated concentrations of heavy metals in the leaves. Cu in the leaves ranged from 12.0 – 15.5. This was however within the FAO/WHO limit. Hazard quotient for Fe in fresh leaves of fluted pumpkin ranged from 31.89 – 143.89 and 100.0 – 275.0 in Zn; an indication for heavy metal toxicity. Microbial flora of the leaves comprised of Vibro sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Alcaligen faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter aerogenes, Seratia sp., Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani.

Keywords: Heavy metal; Fluted pumpkin; Benin; Highway; Vegetable (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pkp:tijobi:v:2:y:2013:i:2:p:52-58:id:1496

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