COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRACE ELEMENTS' CONTENTS OF FRESH AND SUN-DRIED TIGER NUTS IN IGBESA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the comparative analysis of trace elements which included iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in fresh andeun-dried tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus), with the aim of assessing its nutritional value and potential toxicological risks. The research adopted a laboratory-based analytical approach using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) to determine the concentrations of selected trace elements in both fresh and traditionally sun-dried tiger nut samples obtained from local markets. The findings revealed that essential elements such as Fe, Cu, and Mn were present in appreciable quantities and were generally higher in sun-dried samples, likely due to moisture reduction concentrating the elements. Conversely, Pb levels were significantly elevated in sun-dried samples, indicating a high likelihood of environmental contamination during the traditional sun-drying process. Zinc showed relatively stable concentrations between fresh and dried samples, while cadmium (Cd) was detected in low concentrations with no significant variation. The study concluded that although sun-dried tiger nut remains a rich source of essential nutrients, traditional sun-drying methods practiced in open environments expose the nuts to potential contamination by toxic metals, especially lead. This raises significant food safety concerns for regular consumers. The research recommends the adoption of hygienic drying methods, public awareness on safe food handling, and routine regulatory monitoring to minimize contamination risks