In this research work the concentration of zinc, copper, lead, chromium, cadmium, and nickel in cow milk samples obtained from four different grazing areas   (kakuri, kudendan, malali, kawo) of Kaduna metropolis. The samples were digested by wet digestion technique .The trace element were determined using bulk scientific model VPG 210 model  Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).. The concentration of the determined heavy metal were The result revealed that Cr,  Ni and Cd were not detected in milk samples from Kawo, Malali  and Kudendan whereas lead (Pb) is detected in all samples and found to be above  the stipulated limits of recommended dietary allowance (NRC,1989) given as 0.02mg/day. Cu and Zn are essential elements needed by the body for proper metabolism and as such their deficiency or excess is very dangerous for human health. However, they were found in all samples and are within the recommended limits while Cd (2.13 – 3.15 mg/kg) in milk samples from Kakuri was found to be above such limit (0.5mg/day). Cow milk samples analyzed for heavy metals in this research work pose a threat of lead and cadmium toxicity due to their exposure to direct sources of air, water and plants in these grazing areas, thereby, resulting to a potential health risk to the consumers.

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In order to treat a variety of human health issues, plants are a beneficial source for getting numerous pharmacologically active chemicals. This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the phytochemical constituents of Artemisia annua, Azadirachta indica, Nauclea latifolia, and Vernonia ambigua. The volatile constituents of these plants were extracted using steam distillation. The phytochemical constituents were qualitatively and quantitatively determined using the standard methods. The results of the phytochemical screening show the presence of glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins. The quantitative Analysis shows that Azadirachta indica has the highest concentration of alkaloid (0.18 mg/mL), flavonoid (0.06 mg/mL), and total phenolic compounds (0.11 mg/mL). It was concluded that the distillates of the plants studied possess significant phytoconstituents. Further study needs to identify relevant compounds from the distillates for a better understanding of their mechanism of actions and activities. Furthermore, toxicology and in vivo studies should performed to deduce the safety of ingesting the distillates.

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Depending on composition, fatty acids of plant sources are explicitly useful in food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The present study characterizes Soxhlet extracted neem seed oil by determination of physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds. Extraction involved the use of solvent semi-continuous extraction method for 6 hours with N-hexane. Percentage Oil yield was at 39. Saponification value (50.490mgKOH/g), Iodine value (50.28g/100g), Acid value (5.610mgKOH/g), Free fatty acid (2.805w/w), Peroxide value (62.75meq/kg) and Specific gravity (0.948) were determined. Density at 250C, Flash point, boiling point, melting point, colour and Odour provided supportive information to the major physicochemical properties analyzed. Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of the Soxhlet extracted Neem Seed oil showed different peak values of industrially essential compounds such as 7-Pentadecyne, Glycidyl palmitate, Oleic Acid, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid and methyl ester (Omega-6 acid). Saponification value was found to be high, suggesting the presence of FFA with low molecular weight, which brands the oil as essential in cosmetic and food industries. Low Iodine value and low total acidity seems to consolidate the usefulness of neem seed oil in cosmetic industries. Conversely, the high peroxide level makes it unsuitable for cooking. It may therefore be inferred that Soxhlet extracted Azadirachta indica seed may be industrially viable but less suitable for consumption.