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A comparative study was carried out for the determination of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc contents in two brands of powdered milk samples, using the Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES) and Flame Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (F-AAS) methods. The powdered milk samples were collected and placed in a muffle furnace at 550°C for 6 hours, and the ash contents obtained was used for the sample preparation. The percentage recoveries for the spikes were as follows: for MP-AES determination; the recoveries for the milk samples were within the range (116.9 – 163.1%) for calcium; (51.8 – 78.8%) for magnesium; (110.9 – 125.4%) for iron; (90.7 – 92.9%) for zinc. For FAAS determination; the recoveries for the milk samples were within the range (51.1 – 83.6%) for calcium; (52.2 – 61.9%) for magnesium; (77.7 – 84.8%) for iron; (46.5 – 71.7%) for zinc. The percentage recoveries showed a better recovery with MP-AES than the F-AAS method. The analysis of variance conducted using One way ANOVA method shows that there is no significant difference between the two methods used for the analysis, as the P-values (calculated probability) obtained were higher than 0.05. The values obtained for Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn content shows that only Ca was found to be within WHO/FAO standard, while Mg, Fe and Zn were found to be below the WHO/FAO standard. It is highly recommended that a 100g of any of the powdered milk used for the research work be consumed per day in order to meet up with the RDA per day, or other sources of these elements to be considered.Â

Herein, an affordable, sensitive, and accurate potentiometric method based on a modified carbon paste electrode (MCPE) incorporating 2,2 0 -(ethane-1,2-diylbis (sulfanediyl)) dianiline, as a selective ionophore, has been introduced for the determination of Cu(II) ions concentration in different real samples. The developed MCPE has a high sensitivity for Cu(II) ions within a wide concentration range from 1.0 Â 10 À7 to 5.0 Â 10 À3 mol L À1 , a low limit of detection value (LOD) of 5.6 Â 10 À8 mol L À1 , and a Nernstian slope of 29.4 ± 0.28 mV/decade. Furthermore, the developed sensor has a rapid response time (24 s), can work successfully in a wide pH range of 4.5-7.0, and is highly selective to Cu(II) ions over many other cations. The proposed sensor's external surface was scrutinized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Finally, the optimized MCPE was successfully applied for the determination of Cu(II) ions content in different soil samples. Moreover, our MCPE is the first potentiometric sensor applied for the monitoring of the release of Cu(II) ions from one of the commercially available unlined copperware after exposure to food simulants under different conditions. The results were in agreement with those of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) technique.copper in soil, copper release, food contact materials, pollution, sensor | INTRODUCTIONCopper is one of the most important trace elements that are essential for humans, plants, and animals. In excess, copper may cause toxicity and various diseases such as Wilson's disease, bone disorders, kidney damage, and even death. In the last decade, the industries depending on copper have increased, and they are still rising as time goes on; therefore, the copper content in the air, water, and soil has increased. Moreover, copper is very abundant in agricultural soils since fungicides, fertilizers, and bactericides containing copper are widely used. 1 The content of copper in the soil is mainly dependent on the pH and the soil organic matter content. In extremely alkaline soil, copper deficiency occurs that can inhibit the growth of leaves and stems, but in acidic soil, copper is more available. 2 So, the measurement of the copper ions concentration in water, soil, and food, especially food preserved in cookware made of copper, is required. There are many food contact materials that have been

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This study was conducted to investigate the stomach contents of two commercially important fish species (Tilapia zilli and Oreochromis nilocticus)  from Wanzun River, Northcentral Nigeria using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods between January to April 2019. Fish samples were collected monthly with help of Fishermen using various fishing nets and traps. One hundred (100) individual fish of each species were collected and their stomach contents were examined. The results obtained expressed in mean percentage indicated that out of the one hundred (100) individual fish of each species examined,Twelve (12%) fish had an empty stomach contents in Tilapia zilli, and out of the 100 samples examined, Seventeen (17%) fish had an empty stomach content in Oreochromis nilocticus. The stomach contents of both Tilapia zilli and Oreochromis nilocticus consist of detritus, insects, fish remains. Algae/protozoans plant materials and molluscs. Both fish species are omnivorous feeders and occupy the same ecological niche.The study reveals the importance of algae, fish, insects and plant materials as food for fishes and they form important part in the diet of the species examined.