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The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is an important tree found in some African countries. In this study the phytochemical composition of the desert date kernel and some physical and chemical properties of its oil were analyzed using standard procedures. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and glycosides. While the results for the physical analysis of the kernel oil revealed the following: Color, pale yellow; density, 0.910 g/cm 3 ; specific gravity, 0.907; refractive index, 1.458; and viscosity, 19.68. And on the other hand, the results for the chemical analysis of the kernel oil revealed the following: Acid value, 3.06 mgKOH/g; free fatty acid, 1.27; peroxide value, 3.71 mEq/Kg; saponification value, 198 mg/KOH/g; and iodine value, 98.73 100/g. All the results were compared and found to be within the FAO/WHO standards.

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A B S T R A C TThreat posed by the heavy metals has been increasing globally rendering many water bodies unfit for human consumption. This could be due to the increase in concentrations of these metals above natural background. This article reviews the literature data on variation of water quality in rivers, lakes, and ex-mining ponds in Malaysia and other selected countries. World Health Organization (WHO), United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Malaysian water quality standards (INWQS) are used as the baseline for the pollution and health risk assessments. It illustrates that concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As in lakes and ex-mining ponds, and Mn, Cd and Pb in rivers exceed permissible limits for direct consumption. The levels of dissolved oxygen, TSS, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) are not within WHO and INWQS limits, pH of lakes and ex-mining ponds are lower than reference standards while that of rivers are high. Principal component analysis reveals that TSS, COD, BOD, Pb, and As are highly associated with ex-mining ponds. Cluster analysis shows similarity in pollution source between lake and ex-mining ponds. Risk assessment revealed that high chronic daily intake and metal index were beyond acceptable limit indicating high risk and exposure to toxic metals.