ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Abdulaziz U.; Hassan S.W.; Shehu S.

2026, Vol: 8, Issue: 2

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Research Article
Online Published: 11 Nov 2026

JIRLS. 2026; 8(2): 1-7

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Abdulaziz U., Hassan S.w., Shehu S..

Abstract
Food contamination by heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms poses critical public health threats. This study assessed selected heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb), their associated health risks, and the microbial load in soil and rice from Duza and Dan Doki, Gazau Fadama, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), while microbial loads were enumerated using standard plate count methods on Nutrient Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Data were analyzed using Independent Samples T-tests while microbial findings assessed descriptively. Zinc, Copper, and Chromium were detected in all samples, with maximum soil concentrations in Duza (0.1390 ± 0.0030 mg kg⁻¹). Cadmium and Lead were below the detection limit (< 0.01 mg kg⁻¹). All detected metals were well below WHO/FAO limits. The combined Hazard Index (HI) was 0.001304, indicating no non-carcinogenic health risk. Conversely, microbiological analysis revealed high bacterial loads ranging from 7.0 × 10⁵ to 5.4 × 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹. Presumptive identification revealed the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. in rice samples, alongside toxigenic fungi like Aspergillus spp. The study concludes that while heavy metal contamination is minimal and safe, microbiological quality is the primary food safety concern in this region. Improved post-harvest hygiene and integrated monitoring are highly recommended.

Key words: Heavy metals, Microbial load, Rice, Health risk, Food safety.

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Pubmed Style

U. A, S.w. H, S. S. ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. JIRLS. 2026; 8(2): 1-7.

Web Style

U. A, S.w. H, S. S. ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. https://www.jirlsonline.com/?mno=340379 [Access: November 11, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

U. A, S.w. H, S. S. ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. JIRLS. 2026; 8(2): 1-7.

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

U. A, S.w. H, S. S. ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. JIRLS. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 8(2): 1-7.

Harvard Style

U., A., S.w., . H. & S., . S. (2026) ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. JIRLS, 8 (2), 1-7.

Turabian Style

U., Abdulaziz, Hassan S.w., and Shehu S.. 2026. ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. Journal of Innovative Research in Life Sciences, 8 (2), 1-7.

Chicago Style

U., Abdulaziz, Hassan S.w., and Shehu S.. "ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF RICE AND SOIL FROM DUZA AND DANDOKI, GAZAU FADAMA, ISA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA." Journal of Innovative Research in Life Sciences 8 (2026), 1-7.

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