The aim of this study is to determine the effect of neem leaves in preserving the mineral elements content of two tomato types from Sokoto state, Nigeria. Healthy, ripe and firm tomato fruits brought from Sokoto City, were selected, cleaned for this study. 5%, 10% and 25% by were prepared by dissolving respective 5g, 10g and 25g neem extracts in 9.5, 9.0 and 7.5 liters of distilled water respectively to preserve tomatoes. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design. And elements, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P were determined in the tomatoes after the experiment using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and P in Daneka after preservation ranges are: 1.1-1.3(ppm), 2.1-2.3 (ppm), 1.0-1.3 (ppm), 0.30-0.34 (ppm), and 0.3200-0.3330 (ppm) respectively. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and P in UTC after preservation ranges are: 1.6-1.10 (ppm), 1.6-1.10 (ppm), 0.10-1.16 (ppm), 0.30-0.35 (ppm), and 0.9997-1.0998 (ppm) respectively; revealing an increasing trend of elemental contents of all the tomato cultivars with an increasing neem concentration. Thus, the neem leaves indicate the capacity to preserve a typical quality parameter of tomatoes, that is concentration of Na, K, Ca, and P elements at p < 0.05 significant level.

A region like Sokoto that is been challenged by series of problems such as double burden of diseases, malnutrition, and food insecurity should utilized the available fruits for their inherent nutrient’s compositions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the proximate and elemental contents (sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) in gingerbread plum (Neocarya macrophylla) fruit which are essential for normal growth and development of body tissues for the human health. Neocarya macrophylla fruit is screened for certain nutritionally needed elements and proximate compositions using standard methods. Results obtained show that, crude protein with (2.70 ± 0.0057%) has the lowest concentration, the moisture content was 5.83 ± 0.57 percent, ash content was 5.33 ± 1.54 percent, crude lipid was 5.23 ± 0.15 percent, and crude fiber was 13.33 ± 4.48 percent. The determined levels of mineral elements (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium) reveal 30.25000 ppm, 4.9001 ppm, 90. 1000 ppm, 40.563 ppm, and 67.5601 ppm, respectively. Therefore, the plant is nutritious and vital for metabolic processes.

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of mango leaves in preserving the varied concentrations of metals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus) present in two tomato varieties in Sokoto, Nigeria. After the application of different mango leaves extracts in the postharvest preservation of Daneka tomato fruits in a randomized control design, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry of macro elements; the most elevated concentrations noticed significant difference at (p<0.05) were revealed in potassium (1.20±0.002 to 3.00±0.001 ppm), and calcium (1.27±0.003 to 2.15±0.002 ppm). The lower levels of metals noticed upon storage under mango leaves are revealed by phosphorus (1.10±0.002 to1.37±0.002 ppm), and sodium (0.90±0.001 to 1.30±0.001 ppm); and the least was revealed by magnesium (0.61±0.001 to 0.86±0.001 ppm). The different concentrations of elements upon addition of mango leaves in the postharvest preservation of UTC tomatoes in Sokoto, Nigeria show, the elevated concentrations revealed by phosphorus (2.5±0.001 to 3.8±0.004 ppm), potassium (2.00±0.001 to 2.99±0.001 ppm), and magnesium (1.01±0.001 to 2.59±0.001 ppm). The lower concentrations were observed in calcium (1.34±0.001 to 1.70±0.001 ppm), and sodium (0.55±0.005 to 1.80±0.002 ppm). The mango leaves possessed potential to preserve the Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P levels in tomatoes; thus could serve as cheap, accessible, and sustainable preservative in the state when improved.

This study was carried out with the purpose of assessing solid waste disposal and levels of heavy metals in Fadama area of Sokoto city. A survey using questionnaire and atomic absorp-tion spectroscopy was employed for the study. The descriptive statistics and X2 test were done. The types of pollution noticed include: land (40.0%), air (40.0%), and water (20.0%). The possible causes of the pollution include, mostly open dumping of solid waste (41.7%), then open defecation (33.3%), and lastly burning (25.0%). Spread of diseases was most (40.0%) perceived effect, then effect on children (20.0%) and gastroenteritis (20.0%). Other effects are: sickness (13.3%) and accidents (6.7%). The efforts to address the waste disposal are: burning (60.0%), pushing it away from road (20.0%) and provision of containers (20.0%). Effort did by the government involves, promising to bring con-tainers (30.0%), and doing nothing (70.0%). Wastes found are: plastics (70.0%), organic and defeca-tions (23.3%), metal and relations. The heavy metals analysis shows, the lead ranges from 5.1 ± 1.2 to 10.0 ± 0.80 (ppm); chromium ranges from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 2.10 ± 0.02 (ppm); zinc ranges from not detected to 0.81 ± 0.3 (ppm); cadmium from 0.25 ± 0.02; and mercury ranges from 0.95 ± 0.02 to 10.20 ± 0.11 (ppm). There is poor waste management in an agricultural area, a trend that can seep harmful chemicals to be taken up by plants to the upward food chain/web, coupled with other harmful ef-fects of waste such as instigation of diseases and environmental degradation.

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