Level of Occurrence of Lead in Finger Millet in Niger State Metropolis

Background: Eleusine coracana, a grain crop that may reach a height of ۱۷۰ cm, is frequently referred to as a cereal food. It is a member of the Poaceae genus of plants. Due to its extreme toxicity at very low quantities, lead (Pb) is one of the most significant trace heavy metals to be examined.Aim: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of lead in finger millet in the capital city of the Niger State.Methods: The lead metal was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) following a pressurized microwave-assisted wet digestion and the use of muffle furnace on the processed/certified finger millet samples with a combination of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and perchloric acid (۴:۱:۲). Based on calibration with a fortified analytical solution, the measurements were made (lead chloride).Results: With the exception of Suleja millet, which recorded a range of ۰.۰۱-۱.۵۵ mg/L, the concentration of lead in finger millet samples evaluated in all Local Governments was found to be over the WHO recommended level of acceptable lead in cereals (۰.۰۱-۰.۰۵ mg/L). The LG (۰.۱۷۰.۰۸ mg/L at range of ۰.۰۹-۰.۳۲ mg/L) and Kontagora Local Government (۱.۵۷۰.۲۴ mg/L at range of ۱.۱۹-۱.۹۳ mg/L) had the highest and lowest amounts, respectively. Average lead values in different types of finger millet collected from diverse LGs were statistically different from one another (p<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The primary source of Pb in finger millet grain in various depositional locations is atmospheric deposition. The majority of the lead in millet roots comes from the soil and lead contribution rates from the soil to the millet roots in high deposition locations would be much higher than those in low deposition areas.  

Keywords:

Lead , Eleusine Coracana , Finger Millet