THE Heavy Metal Contents and Proximate Analysis of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) Brought from Dagbolu along Ikirun, Olorunda Local Government and Irepodun Village Osogbo Local Government, Osun State.

Abstract

In this study, the leaves of pumpkin purchased from two different markets in Osun State, Nigeria - Dagbolu along Ikirun Olorunda Local Government and Irepodun Village Osogbo Local Government Osun State, were analyzed for proximate and heavy metal content. The results of the proximate analysis revealed that the leaves contained essential nutrients like moisture, ash, crude fiber, fat, protein, and carbohydrate, which makes them a good source of food supplement. And their percentage composition were (2.64 % and 2.15%), (13.33% and 12.98%), (2.32 % and 2.15 %),(11.85 % and 11.20%),(24.54 % and 25.40 %) and(45.32 % and 46.12 %) for A and B respectively. Analysis also showed the concentration of heavy metals like Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn, which were found to be relatively high in the leaves with following concentration (3.12 mg/g and 2.56 mg/g), (1.95 mg/g and 1.64 mg/g), (6.98 mg/g and 5.89 mg/g), and (0.43 mg/g and 0.36 mg/g) respectively for A and B. Despite this, the high concentration of Zn and Fe makes pumpkin leaves an excellent source of energy and protein for both humans and animals.