Determination of some antioxidant vitamins and trace elements in selected grains, fruits and vegetables commercially sold in Eke Awka market, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Dike-Iheanyi Evelyn Ifeyinwa, Okoye Chinenye Justy, Ezeanyanwu V. C., Okoroigwe F.C. and Ifemeje J.C.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Science Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Six samples from cucumber (Cucumis sativus), apple (Malus domestica), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus), Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), Green peas (Pisum sativum) were purchased from Eke Awka market, Awka in Anambra state, and evaluated for some antioxidant vitamins using standard method. The concentration of the Trace metals namely Fe,Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Pb, Cd and Ni were assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of each trace metal in the sample was determined and compared with the permissible levels set by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization. Antioxidant vitamins results showed that cabbage has the highest Vitamin A level, green peas the highest Vitamin C level while tigernuts has the highest Vitamin E level. The result of trace metal analysis showed that the concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Pb, Cd and Ni in the six selected samples were lower or within the recommended permissible limit. This indicates that the samples are nontoxic and also safe for human consumption because they are within the acceptable limit that is not dangerous to health as recommended by World Health Organization /Food and Agriculture Organization.

Keywords: Trace element, Antioxidant vitamins, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Grains, Fruits, Vegetables

CITE AS: Dike-Iheanyi Evelyn Ifeyinwa, Okoye Chinenye Justy, Ezeanyanwu V. C., Okoroigwe F.C. and Ifemeje J.C. (2024). Determination of some antioxidant vitamins and trace elements in selected grains, fruits and vegetables commercially sold in Eke Awka market, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS 9(3):7-12.  https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBBAF/24/93.712000