Energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence spectrometric study of compositional differences in trace elements in dried Moringa oleifera leaves grown in two different agro-ecological locations in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study investigated the compositional differences in trace elements in M. oleifera leaves grown in two different agro-ecological locations in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Fresh samples of dried M. oleifera leaves were collected and analysed for P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Ti, Cu, Mo, Fe, Zn, Ni, Re, Eu and Pb using Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry, following standard procedures. The results showed varying amounts of the studied elements in the samples from the two locations, with relatively high amounts of Pb. When the mean content of P, K Ca, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn in the samples where compared to their daily requirements for adults and the expected quantity of M. oleifera leaves an adult will eat to achieve the daily requirements, it was concluded that the leaves could serve as veritable source of these elements to local consumers. Levels of significant differences in the concentrations of the trace elements in samples of M. oleifera leaves grown in both locations were tested at 95% confidence level ( α = 0.05) using F- and student’s t -tests. The outcome showed that although there are compositional differences in the amounts of the elements studied in the samples, these differences are not significant ( t exps < t crits ) at 95% confidence interval. Keywords: trace elements, daily requirements, M. oleifera , ED-XRF spectrometry, Mgbabor, Okposi-Okwu