Heavy metal and microbial safety assessment of raw and cooked pumpkin and leaves grown in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

In this study, heavy metal and microbial safety assessment of raw and cooked pumpkin and leaves grown in Abakaliki, Nigeria, was examined. The levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The microbial cells were counted and further identified to species level using 16S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequencing analysis at CABI microbial identification services United Kingdom (UK).