Determination of heavy metal profiles in Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica A) along some major streets in Minna metropolis Nigeria

Abstract

Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves collected from some major streets in Minna metropolis were determined for their heavy metal contamination using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that the concentrations of analysed heavy metals along all the sampling route ranged from 14.5±1.15- 71.0 ± 6.17 µg/g Mn; 303.0±12.23-765.0 ± 19.27 µg/g Fe; 5.8± 0.55-40.0± 3.35 µg/g Cu; 59.4±3.50-361.0±12.53 µg/g Zn, with Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu along the various routes, while Cr, Cd and Pb were below detectable limit in all the samples. The result from this study indicate that the metal ion concentration in neem leaves along the various route studied were within the permissible level as recommended by WHO for plants to be used as food or for medicinal purposes and therefore will not contribute any toxicity or harmful effect to human health when taken orally or in the form of tea or for medicinal purposes or as part of diet.

Keywords: Neem, Azadirachta indica, contamination, spectrophotometer, concentration toxicity