ABSTRACT
The analysis for the heavy metal concentration of date fruit was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result of the analysis reveals that the sample contained all the analyzed heavy metals and their sample contained all the analyzed heavy metals and their concentration were as follows; Aluminium 1.386±0.0376, Zinc 1.948±0.417, Copper 2.0825±0.0345, Cadmium 0.034±0.703 and Lead 0.2155±0.0473. Comparing the result with the World Health Organization, it reveals that the sample were within the stipulated standard. Hence, the plant is recommended for human consumption.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE
Title Page – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – vi
Table of Contents – – – – – – – vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION – – – – – 1
- Background of the Study – – – – – 1
- Aim and Objectives – – – – – 3
- Scope and Limitation – – – – – 4
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – 5
- Botanical Classification of Phoenix dactylifera – 8
- Description of Phoenix dactylifera – – – 8
- Uses of Phoenix dactylifera – – – – 10
- Nutritional value of Phoenix dactylifera – – 12
- Phytochemistry of Callinectespallidus – – 13
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD – – – 27
- Materials and Reagent – – – – – 27
- Sample Collection and Preparation – – – 28
- Determination of Mineral Element – – – 28
- Digestion for mineral element determination – – 28
- Digestion of Sample – – – – – 29
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION – – – 30
- Results – – – – – – – 30
- Discussion – – – – – – – 31
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSIONAND RECOMMENDATIONS- – 35
- Conclusion – – – – – – – 35
- Recommendations – – – – – – 35
References
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., family Arecaceae) is one of the oldest cultivated trees in arid and semi-arid regions. Saudi Arabia is one of the major date producing countries in the world and estimated production of dates in 2006 was 986,000 MT (Arab Agricultural Statistics Yearbook, 2009). The tree is valued mainly for its fruits (date) as well as for its ornamental value almost in every garden, square and avenue in Saudi Arabia. Dates are very rich in nutritive components, viz., carbohydrates, fats, minerals, protein, vitamins and dietary fibres (Fayadh and Al-Showiman, 2000). It is preferable to consume dates at the Rutab (semi-ripe) and Tamr (fully-ripe) stages; however, the consumption of processed dates is rapidly and steadily growing (Al-Hootiet al., 2007).