Assessment of Heavy Metals of Some Selected Medicinal Plant in Kwakwachi Fagge Local Government of Kano State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue VIII, August 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Assessment of Heavy Metals of Some Selected Medicinal Plant in Kwakwachi Fagge Local Government of Kano State, Nigeria

Obadahun.J^1*, Okeh.Q², Shittu.K.J³, Pascalina.P.L⁴, Oludege.O.F⁵, Omotola.M.B^6
1,2,3,4Department of Science Technology, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (Nilest), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
⁶Directorate of Research N and Development, Ogun Centre, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (Nilest), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
⁵Department of Environmental Science and Resources Management, National Open University of Nigeria, Plot 91, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the level of heavy metal content of five selected medicinal plants locally consumed in Kwakwachi Fagge local government of Kano state. The concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and As) were determined in Azadirachta indica (neem leaf), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leave), Anacardium occidental (cashew leave), Citrus sinensis (orange) and Citrus limo (lemon) samples using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration of the metals in all the medicinal plants were found to be Pb 1.84-5.12 mg/l, Cd 0.6-0.84 mg/l, Cr 0.24-0.6 mg/, As 1.6-10.2 mg/l. The result obtained from study showed that arsenic has the highest concentration in all the medicinal plants. The levels of the various heavy metals in the medicinal plant samples studied were found to be in order of As>Pb>Cd>Cr. The concentration of heavy metals in the plant samples exceeded the permissible limit of W.H.O (2006). The result indicates potential heavy metal risk as a result of the consumption of the mentioned traditional medicine in the study area.

Keywords: Medicinal plant, heavy metal and Atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

I. INTRODUCTION

Heavy metals include lead cadmium, zinc, copper, Iron etc (Duruibe et al., 2007). Heavy metals are among the major contaminant of food supply and are considered as problem to the environment (Zaidi et al., 2005). Heavy metals contamination may occur due to irrigation with contaminated water, the addition of fertilizers, metal based pesticides, industrial emissions, transportation, harvesting process and storage. Advancement in technology has lead to high levels of industrialization leading to the discharge of effluent bearing heavy metals into our environment. Medicinal plants play a major role in health care sector of developing nations for the management of diseases. Thus herbal medicines have a prominent role to play in the Pharmaceuticals markets and health care sector of the 21st century. Medicinal plants have found extensive use in disease treatment, prevention and management. Due to the immense benefits herbal population in one way or the other depends on them for various health benefits. Oyedele et al., (2008).

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