Vegetables containing micronutrients such as manganese and copper are widely consumed due to their essential role in the human body. Human activities due to environmental pollution significantly contribute to high levels of manganese and copper in the human body, which can lead to toxic effects. The research is aimed at determining the level of manganese and copper in selected vegetables (Lactuca sativa, Telfairia occidentalis, Vernonia amygdalina, Spinacia olaracea and Adansonia digitata) marketed in Kaduna metropolis. The selected vegetables were processed and digested using a tri-acid mixture (HNO3:HClO4:H2SO4 = 5:1:1) and the Cu and Mn content of the digests obtained was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The results obtained indicated that Spinacia olaracea had the highest (0.336 ± 0.001) level of Mn while Telfairia occidentalis had the least (0.018 ± 0.013). The highest (0.139 ± 0.0002) level of Cu was recorded in Vernonia amygdalina and the lowest level (0.068±0.005) was found in Lactuca sativa. All the concentrations recorded are within the official WHO permissible limit of 5mg/kg for manganese and 4mg/kg for copper in vegetable plant materials. Therefore, these values may suggest that the selected vegetables are safe for human consumption.

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Purpose: Nile tilapia is known to have a high prolifi c rate of reproduction which impacts the native aquatic bio-diversity. This phenomena and various methods of curtailing have been well studied in few selected places around the world. Hence, this research aims to evaluate the eff ect of castor oil on haematological parameters of O. niloticus, at sub-lethal doses.Research Method: Sixteen samples of ready to spawn O. niloticus weighing 6.5-8.5g were used for the experiment and castor oil was extracted from the seeds through Soxhlet extraction. Three diff erent doses of castor oil (R. communis) were administered to determine the level of eff ect of castor oil on the blood parameters. Findings: Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, total white blood cell (TWBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) andmean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined using standard methods. MCV, MCH, MCHC, and WBC did not vary signifi cantly (P>0.05). PCV were all within the normal range (40.33-21.00%). Hb values were low and ranged from 6. 1012/l. Value: This research revealed castor oil to signifi cantly alter some parameters of O. niloticus and has inverse relationship between WBC and RBC counts of O. niloticus.