Current Research Bulletin

Farm produce contamination by heavy metals has become a pressing issue, and the accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is of increasing concern due to food safety risks, potential health impacts, and detrimental effects on soil ecosystems. This work aims to determine the Microbiological analysis, Proximate Composition, and Heavy Metal concentrations of selected farm produce (Carrot, onion, and Tomato) Grown in Gashua, Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria. Samples of Carrots, Onions and Tomatoes were collected directly from the farm, and Soil samples were collected at the same plots where the crops were grown. The results of the proximate parameters from the samples collected indicated, Moisture, Carbohydrate, Ash, Lipid, Crude fibre and Protein content ranging from 75.7 ±2.03 to 90.0 ±2.02; 5.21 ±0.82 to 16.10 ±0.76; 0.18±0.01 to 0.62 ±0.08; 0.4 ±1.02 to 2.45 ±0.10; 0.20 ±0.01 to 1.3 ±0.10 and 0.87 ±0.02 to 4.50 ±0.20% respectively, for the Carrot, Tomato and Onion. Some of the Bacteria and fungi isolated from the soil and samples are Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., and E.coli and Aspergillus sp. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Nickel, Chromium, Copper, Cadmium, Lead and Manganese ranged from 0.003 to 1.00; 1.932±0.00 to 5.164±0.01; 0.840±0.01 to 11.224±0.01; 2.404±0.01 to 13.18±0.01; 0.252±0.05 to 0.712±0.01; 3.364±0.01 to 28.16 ±0.00 and 1.962±0.01 to 6.608±0.05 mg/kg, respectively, for the Carrot, Tomato and Onion. The values obtained are very high compared with those reported in the literature and are not within the tolerable limits set by some regulatory authorities. Our study concluded that there is a need to educate the farmers in this geographical area of study on the danger of contaminated soil used for growing crops

Farm produce, heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrometry, proximate composition

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