Investigations on Implications of Gas Flaring on Some Phytochemicals and Trace Metal Content of Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)

Abstract

The effect of gas flaring on some phytochemicals and trace metals in Vernonia amygdalina in Obrikom, a gas flaring community (GF) and Rumualogu, a non gas flaring community (NGF) in Rivers state, Nigeria was investigated. There was significant increase (P>0.05) in the composition of alkaloid (NGF; 1.32±0.044 and GF; 3.10±0.001) and tannin (NGF; 0.03±0.001 and GF; 0.31±0.007) in the Vernonia amygdalina when the leaf samples from Rumualogu(NGF-Community) was compared with the Obrikom(GF-Community) samples. However, there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the flavonoid (NGF; 0.79±0.012 and GF; 0.88±0.009) and saponin (NGF; 1.20±0.009 and GF; 1.27±0.018) compositions. There was significant increase (P>0.05) in the levels of Fe (2.21±0.01 to 2.96±0.01), Zn (0.86±0.01 to 1.10±0.01) and Pb (0.14±0.03 to 0.29±0.02) when the leaves grown in a non gas flaring site were compared with the gas flaring site samples.  There was no significant difference in Cr concentration; Cr (0.01±0.01 to 0.02±0.01). Cadmium level was below detection limit (BDL) in the vegetable from both sites. The implication of these findings is a possible change on the nutritional and medicinal values of Vernonia amygdalina.

Keywords: Gas flaring, Obrikom, Phytochemicals, Rumualogu