This study evaluated the levels of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in the muscles and edible offal's of goat bred from Nigeria. The samples were digested with a 3:1 mixture of HCl and HNO3 and analysed with a Unicam Solar 32 AAS. The results obtained expressed in mgkg-1 showed that kidney had the highest mean concentration of 0.83 ranging from 0.07-3.08 for cadmium, 0.53 from nd-0.63 for lead; while liver had 134.02 ranging from 26.36-398.16 for copper and muscle 131.55 from nd-417.00 for zinc. Most of the samples studied were found to have these metals above the permissible limits set by some regulatory bodies. Pearson's correlation analysis showed significant correlation (p < 0.01) between the metal levels in the heart and kidney, an indication of common source of contamination. The meat quality was found to be impaired by high levels of Zn, Cu and Cd and indicates widespread contamination of the environment by these trace metals.

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Background: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) are plastic materials extensively used in packaging, constituting recalcitrant environmental pollutants that defy natural degradation processes. Aim: This study isolated bacteria from a Nigerian environment and assessed their potential for LDPE biodegradation. Methods: Using standard procedures, Bacteria were isolated from polythene samples collected from farmlands and waste dump sites in Nsukka metropolis. Mineral salt medium (MSM) was prepared, with LPDE as sole carbon source, and used for isolation. Optical density (OD600 nm) was used to study bacterial growth on LDPE as sole carbon source as proof of biodegradation. Both organisms demonstrated steady growth on LDPE over time. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. were identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Ability to grow on LDPE as a sole carbon source was studied as evidence of polyethylene biodegradation. Organisms were inoculated into MSM and incubated at 37°C and 50°C for 15 days. Maximum growth was recorded after 15 days of incubation for both organisms. P. aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. showed steady growth at 37°C as well as 50 ⁰C. Micrococcus sp. recorded highest growth; 0.324 nm and 0.312 nm at 37°C and 50°C respectively, after 15 days. Similarly, P. aeruginosa recorded highest growth of 0.40 nm and 0.258 nm for 37°C and 50°C respectively. LDPE degradation increased with increase in time. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the enormous polyethylene-degrading potentials of P. aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. isolated from Nsukka, Nigeria.

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