The study indicated that Al and Mn accumulation in food crops cultivated in the Moanda area of Gabon may represent a health hazard. However, the high levels of Zn in vegetables could be a pathway for Zn supplementation in human nutrition to reduce Zn deficiency in developing countries.

The assessment of nutritive foodstuffs quality is an important step in the estimation of dietary intake of metals. This study aimed to assess accumulation and the daily intake of macro-elements magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium in edible parts of plants grown in Moanda area. The ranges of concentrations were 246 - 5645 mg/kg, 1167 - 35105 mg/kg, 158 - 12563 mg/kg and 88 - 795 mg/kg for Mg, Ca, K and Na, respectively. Mg and K levels were significantly higher in fruits than in tubers. The trend of accumulation in the edible parts of plants was generally: Ca > K > Mg > Na. The daily intakes of Mg and Ca were the highest and indicated food crops in Moanda had a good nutritive quality

No abstract

No abstract

Moanda region in Southeastern Gabon is rich in manganese (, and were significantly higher in uncultivated than in cultivated soils. Concentration of metals in plants seemed to depend on the type of plant more than the concerned part. Except for Nkoumou (Gnetuma fricanum), Ca, Mg and K contents were in large amounts in all plants so they could be good sources of macronutrients for humans and animals. Mn levels in leaves of cassava and sorrel and Fe levels in the red sorrel leaves exceeded 1 g.kg -1 . Sorrel and amaranth showed the highest daily intake of nutrients.