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1. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 1 :( 1) 95-101 Shafi’u, Daboh & Liman, (2016)
COMPARATIVE ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF WHEAT PRODUCED IN NIGER
REPUBLIC AND NIGERIA.
Mustapha Shafi’u , Abubakar Idris Daboh and Liman Mubarak L.
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, School of Applied Sciences,
Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria, Zaria.
ibnelmustapha@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Comparison of concentrations of Copper, Lead, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Cobalt and Magnesium, in
wheat cultivated in Republic of Niger and Nigeria was carried out. Two samples were collected
directly from farmers in some specific locations in both countries. They were dried to constant
weight at 1030
C, decomposed into ashes in the furnace at 5500
C for six hours to remove all the
organic substances and finally digested using concentrated HCl/HNO3 (1:2) and the clear solution
diluted to 100cm3
with distilled water. The elements were analyzed using Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy. The results obtained for Lead, Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium and Cobalt
from the Niger Republic sample are: 2.132mg/l, 140.034mg/l, 0.572mg/l, 21.408mg/l, 10.258mg/l,
1060.324mg/l and 5.513mg/l respectively, while the Nigerian sample gave 2.510mg/l, 46.041mg/l,
0.658mg/l, 17.013mg/l, 7.971mg/l, 94.320mg/l and 3.918mg/l respectively. Descriptive statistics
of means and standard deviation were used. Comparatively, the concentrations of most of the
elements were similar in both samples except in the case of iron. However, an observed high level
of Lead in both samples is a matter of serious concern since Lead is a heavy metal with attendant
negative health implications. The paper therefore recommends that future researchers should
hence determine the concentration of heavy metals with respect to the soil.
Keywords: Elements, Heavy metals, Wheat
INTRODUCTION
Wheat (Triticum Spp) is a grain, originally from the region of the near east and Ethiopian
highlands, but now cultivated worldwide (Belderock, Ravindran & Joseph, 2000). This grain is
grown on more land area than any other commercial food. World trade in wheat is greater than for
all other crop combined. Globally, wheat is amongst the leading source of human food (World
Wheat Crop [WWC], 2010). In terms of total production tonnages used for food, it is currently
second to rice as the main human food crop and ahead of maize. It also has extensive use in animal
feeds. Wheat grain is a staple food used to make flour for leavened, flat and steamed breads,
biscuits, cookies, cake breakfast cereals, paste, noodles, and couscous and for fermentation to
make beer and other alcoholic beverages as well as bio-fuel.
Wheat is planted to a limited extent as a forage crop for livestock, and its straw can be used as a
construction material for roofing thatch. The whole grain can be milled to leave just the endosperm
for white flour. The whole grain is a concentrated source of vitamins, mineral protein, while refined
grain is mostly starch (Curtis, & Macpherson, 2002). Protein contents ranges from 10% in some
soft wheat with high starch contents, to 15% in hard wheat. Strong and elastic gluten present in
wheat enables dough to trap CO2 during leaving, but classic gluten interferes with the rolling of
pasta into the sheets. The gluten protein in durum wheat for pasta is strong but not elastic.

2. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 1 :( 1) 95-101 Shafi’u, Daboh & Liman, (2016)
Biotic stresses, caused by highly specialized obligate parasites are among the most damaging
diseases of wheat worldwide. While genetic resistance is a cost-effective, safe, and
environmentally-sound method of disease control, our current ability to generate durable resistance
in wheat is limited by our poor understanding of the genetic mechanisms and gene interactions
involved in the wheat resistance response. Elemental composition of wheat is vital since it is a
factor in nutritional value. Geographical location as well as soil types is important factors
determining the elemental composition of cultivated crops. Hence, the comparative analysis of
wheat varieties from two geographically distinct but climatically related locations is important.
This study is aimed at comparing the two samples of wheat from Nigeria and Niger republic with
a view to ascertaining if there is difference in their elemental compositions.
METHODOLOGY
Sampling and Sample Preparation
Samples were collected from the two countries in the first week of July, 2013. Samples were
collected from Konni Local Government, Tahoua region, Republic of Niger by random sampling.
The second sample was similarly collected from Giwa Local Government, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Each sample was divided into three and all treatments and analysis were carried out in triplicates.
The samples were air dried to constant weight and grounded to very fine powder and labeled as A
and B representing samples from Niger Republic and Nigeria respectively. 1.0g each of the
samples was accurately weighed into a clean crucible, then ashen at 550o
C and 50% heating rate
for about two hours and cooled in a desiccator. It was transferred into a 25cm3
beaker and 15cm3
of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added. About 5cm3
of concentrated nitric acid
(HNO3) was also added and the beaker was then heated on a hotplate at 50o
C with stirring, until a
clear solution was obtained close to dryness. Exactly, 10cm3
of distilled water was then added and
mixed. The resulting solution was then filtered with a filter paper and the clear solution was then
made up to the 100cm3
mark with distilled water. The digested samples were then transferred into
a well labeled stopper rubber container until required for the Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometric (AAS) analysis. The samples were finally analyzed using UNICAM 969
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The results obtained were represented as Mean and Standard
deviations from triplicate determinations.

3. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 1 :( 1) 95-101 Shafi’u, Daboh & Liman, (2016)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The following tables summarize the results obtained from the experiments.
Table 1: Concentration of Elements in Wheat Samples from Niger Republic.
Elements
(mg/l)
Mean ± Standard
deviation1 2 3
Lead 0.4152 0.4084 0.4132 0.4123 0.0042
Iron
Copper
Magnesium
Zinc
Calcium
Cobalt
14.0068
0.0588
2.1433
1.04933
107.5253
0.5755
14.0023
0.0587
2.1400
1.0182
106.8464
0.5623
14.0010
0.0542
2.1390
1.0098
104.6007
0.5162
14.0034*
0.0572
2.1408
1.0258
106.3241
0.5513
0.0030
0.0026
0.0023
0.0208
1.5307
0.0311
Table 2: Concentration of Elements in Wheat Samples from Nigeria.
Elements
(mg/l)
Mean ± Standard
deviation
Lead
Iron
Copper
Magnesium
Zinc
Calcium
Cobalt
1 2 3
0.4745
4.6027
0.0701
1.7688
0.8332
95.5107
0.4011
0.4143
4.6108
0.0694
1.6708
0.8122
94.4201
0.3900
0.4642
4.5807
00.0580
1.6642
0.7460
93.0652
0.3842
0.4510
4.6041*
0.0658
1.7013
0.7971
94.3320
0.3918
0.0322
0.0208
0.0068
0.0586
0.0455
1.2251
0.0086
The result in Tables 1 and 2 showed the relative concentration of elements in wheat samples from
Niger and Nigeria. Comparatively, no statistical difference was seen in the concentration of Lead,
Copper, Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium and Cobalt. However the levels of iron in the two sample were
statistical different (14.00 and 4.60 mg/l for Niger and Nigerian samples respectively)

4. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 1 :( 1) 95-101 Shafi’u, Daboh & Liman, (2016)
DISCUSSION
Table 1 and 2 showed 0.4132mg/l of lead in Niger samples and 0.4510mg/l Nigeria samples.
Although these values are not significantly different; both are relatively high when compared with
the standard threshold value of 2.0mg/l (WHO, 1992). The concentration of Cobalt in the sample
is also relatively high when compared with standard threshold values of 1.5mg/l. Although Lead
is a heavy metal and Cobalt, a trace element, their consumption and excessive accumulation over
a period of time can result in significant health challenges (WHO/IPCS, 1995). The possible
reasons for elevated levels might be from human activities around the areas like irrigation and the
use of pesticides during storage; which may result in the introduction of the observed elements in
the wheat samples
Furthermore, the results showed 140.034 mg/l and 46.04mg/l iron in Niger and Nigeria samples
respectively. These values were statistically different from each other implying that the iron
concentrations of these samples are different. These variations in iron contents might be due to the
cultivar or geographical difference since it is known that the concentration of a particular element
in soil can affect the elemental concentration in the plant growing on that soil.
Similarly, the levels of Copper, Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium are not significantly different.
These elements have nutritional values and are required in human and animal diets. The presence
of these elements in the samples thus implies that both wheat samples from Niger and Nigeria are
potential sources of essential nutrients.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
In conclusion, there were insignificant variations in the elemental composition of wheat samples
from Nigeria and Niger Republic. However, the observed high concentrations of the heavy metal
(Lead) in both samples should be of public health concern.
Recommendations
The paper recommends amongst others that government should take measures to curtail the
concentration of lead in wheat by conducting soil analysis prior to cultivation. It also recommends
that further research should be carried out in order to determine the levels of other elements such
as Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na) and other heavy metals in wheat and other
cereals.

5. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 1 :( 1) 95-101 Shafi’u, Daboh & Liman, (2016)
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