COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUTRTIONAL QUALITY OF Capsicum annuum (Pepper) AND Allium cepa L. (Onion) CULTIVATED FROM THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WITHIN YOBE STATE.

Abstract

Vegetables have become an integral part of human’s diet due to their nutritional values thus any form of contamination especially by heavy metals is of great concern. This study aims to assess the heavy metal concentration and proximate composition on Capsicum annuum (Pepper) and Allium cepa L. (Onion) cultivated from three different locations within Yobe state, Nigeria. The results revealed that the concentrations of lead, arsenic, cadmium and chromium in both onions and pepper exceeded WHO-recommended limits, with war liberated communities having significantly higher values compared to normal communities. On the other hand, proximate composition analysis shows both onion and pepper to be of good nutritional value with percentage of parameters falling within the FAO/WHO standard ranges for most parameters. The findings call for more comprehensive research in other to regulate the use of pesticide and monitoring of heavy metals in agricultural soil and water to mitigate health risks associated with consuming contaminated onions and pepper.

Keywords: Allium cepa (Onion); Capsicum annuum (Pepper); Heavy Metals; Proximate Analysis; Yobe and Nigeria.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/15-3-06

Publication date: November 30th 2025