PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BRASSICA OLERACEA LINN(BRASSICACEAE) CULTIVATED AT MINING SITES IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE

Brassica oleracea L (Brassicaceae) is a highly nutritious vegetable rich in vitamin c, fiber and vitamin k. It is a common food item consumed on a daily basis in several parts of the world and it has a high consumption rate in the study region of this project work. Research suggests that Brassica oleracea L (Brassicaceae) supports digestion, improves heart health and decreases inflammation. It is a plant commonly cultivated around mining sites in Jos, plateau state and is irrigated with mining pond water due to water availability. In this study, the leaves of Brassica oleracea L (Brassicaceae) were subjected to microscopical evaluation, microscopical evaluation, physicochemical evaluation and elemental analysis, which revealed the pharmacognostic constituents of Brassica oleracea L (Brassicaceae) and the levels of heavy metals found in the plant, collected from active mining sites, abandoned mining sites and non - mining sites (control sites) across Jos north and Jos south local government areas in plateau state. The results gotten were compared to the standard permissible limits stated by WHO with most of the levels of heavy metals exceeding the permissible limit. The safety profile of Brassica oleracea L (Brassicaceae) grown around mining sites in Jos, Plateau state was determined.