Speaker
Description
Gogo, M. R.
Microbiology Department, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, niger State, Nigeria
wait4gogo@gmail.com
Track: Research, Innovation and Knowledge Ecosystems
Edible clay is consumed in Nigeria for a variety of reasons including craving during pregnancy, medicinal reasons, cultural influences, or nutritional benefits. Studies have shown that edible clay contains certain concentration of heavy metals, essential minerals and microorganisms, however, it consumption can lead to certain health challenges. This study was aimed to investigate the microbiological and heavy metal content of edible clay sold in Minna town, Niger State of Nigeria.A total of five (5) lumps of edible clay were purchased from market women from four (4) different markets at two weeks interval. These samples were taken to the department of Microbiology research laboratory, IBB University, Lapai to determine pH, Moisture content, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, as well as heavy metals such as Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury and Arsenic. The samples were also analyzed for bacteria and fungi species. The result revealed that the pH values fall within an alkaline level ranging from 8.1-9.0.The samples also contain certain concentration of essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Lead concentration ranged from 0.0072mg/kg in Chanchaga market to 2.5001mg/kg in Gwari market, least concentration of cadmium (0.0001mg/kg) and the highest value (1.2010mg/kg) were both recorded in Gwari market Concentration of Chromium ranged between 0.0011mg/kg to 1.2010mg/kg in Chanchaga market and Gwari market respectively. Lowest concentration of Mercury (0.0105mg/kg) was detected in Gwari market while Kure market had the highest value (2.0210mg/kg).Kure market recorded the lowest value of Arsenic (0.0001mg/kg) and Tunga market had the highest value (1.5720mg/kg).Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA shows that there is no significant difference in the concentration of Arsenic (p>0.05;0.43),Mercury (p>0.05;0.12),Chromium (p>0.05;0.59) and Cadmium(p>0.05;0.29).However, the result revealed a significant difference in the concentration of lead (p<0.05;0.02).Samples from Gwari market had the highest load of bacteria and fungi, while Kure market recorded the lowest population of bacteria and lowest population of fungi was recorded in Chanchaga. Bacteria species isolated in the clay samples include Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and streptococcus species, while fungi isolates are Aspergillus, Candida, Mucor and Penicillium species. AnalysiEEs of the questionnaire revealed that sixty nine percent (69%) of the respondents eat edible clay; twenty percent (20%) do not consume it while eleven percent (11%) doesn't know it at all. Ninety one percent (91%) of those that eat edible clay are female; nine percent (9%) are male. Seventy percent of the female that eat edible clay are pregnant women. Seventy eight (78%) of the respondents are adults, while twenty two percent are adolescents. Eighty percent (80%) have different levels of education from primary to tertiary and twenty percent lack western education. Ninety eight percent (98%) of those involve in geophagia are ignorant of the health hazard associated with its consumption, while two percent (2%) are of the view that it may cause blockage of intestine