Mineral Content of Some Agricultural Products Grown in the Middle Belt of Nigeria

M. O. Aremu, A. Olonisakin, I. W. Otene and B. O. Atolaye

Chemistry Department, Nasarawa State University, PMB 1022, Keffi (Nigeria)

Zea mays, Vigna subterranean, Vigna unguiculata and Sorghum bicolor which are the major agricultural products grown in the middle belt of Nigeria were analyzed for moisture, ash and mineral contents using standard techniques. The Zea mays, Vigna subterranean, Vigna unguiculata and Sorghum bicolor from three different locations had mean moisture content of 5.0, 6.2, 7.17 and 6.13% respectively while ash content were 4.1, 6.7, 6.9 and 4.12 respectively. The mean mineral content of K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mu, Fe, Cu, Zn and P for zea mays were 301.3, 188.7, 310.7, 63.7, 3.3, 7.2, 0.6, 16.7 and 230.0mg/100g sample respectively. Those of Vigna subterranean were 431.7, 524.0, 509.0, 208.0, 3.6, 5.5, 0.34, 3.97 and 72.3mg/100g sample respectively while those for Vigna unguiculata were 258.7, 214.3, 375.0, 197.7, 0.23, 29. 0.43, 8.13 and 36.7 mg/100g sample respectively. Whereas what were recorded for Sorghum bicolor were 245.7, 226.7, 348.3, 185.7, 0.35, 2.15, 0.6, 13.7 and 124.0mg/100g sample respectively. The results showed that all the studied samples were good sources of essential minerals while toxics minerals such as cadmium and mercury were not detected but lead was detected only in zea mays sample.

Mineral; agricultural products; middle Belt