"Comparative Evaluation of The Functional and Chemical properties of some Ashes and Potash:- Anyatonwu Chizaram F.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the levels ofsome mineral and heavy metals (Ca, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mg, K, Na, nd Zn) from plantain ash, potash and palm ash Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The petals varied in some cases widely between the samples which include plantain ash, palm ash and otash. Calcium was found to be in the highest amounts in mineral composition (mg/kg) with a lean of 29.15 mg/kg followed by K (11.22 mg/kg), Mg (8.69 mg/kg); and then Na (5.19 mg/kg) nd Zn (0.93 mg/kg). The copper concentration varied from 0.039 to 0.04 mg/kg, Cr from 0.63 to .22 mg/kg, and Pb from 0.89 to 0.02 and these were below the maximum limits set by European ommunity for foodstuff/supplements (for both Pb, Cu and Cr: 3.0 mg/kg). The results of this udy suggest that akanwu is nutritionally safe and would serve as a source of essential mineral icluding K, Na, Mg and Ca.