HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS OF PUMPKIN AND SPINACH LEAVES FROM USELU MARKET,EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENIN CITY,EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to analyse the heavy metal content in two leafy vegetables, Telfairia Occidentalis (Pumpkin leaf) and Spinacia oleracea (Spinach leaf). Samples were collected from the Uselu market, Egor local   government area of Benin city in Edo state, Nigeria. These vegetable Samples were washed thoroughly and sun-dried.The levels of seven different heavy metals namely Lead, Zinc ,Copper ,Iron, Chromium, Manganese and Cadmium were evaluated using Atomic absorption spectrometer of model Buck scientific VGP210.Results obtained for heavy metals in the analyzed pumpkin leaves are 1mg/kg  Pb,1.5mg/kg Cd,1.5mg/kg Cr,85mg/kg Mn,76.5mg/kg Zn,170mg/kg Fe and 33mg/kg  Cu.The spinach leaves contained 1mg/kg Pb,0.5mg/kg Cd,0.5mg/kg Cr,20mg/kg Mn,76mg/kg Zn,110mg/kg Fe and 2.5mg/kg Cu.The results obtained showed that some of the heavy metals were below the permissible limits while some exceeded.