| Summary: | The study evaluated the effect of artificially ripened tropical banana (musa.spp) using calcium carbide (CaC2) as an ripening agent. Sub-lethal levels; 0 g/kg, 1 g/kg, 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg of CaC2 were administered on unripe banana . Resultant levels of heavy metals, vitamins and mineral components were measured. Proximate analysis showed a decreased trend of: Calorific value(CV) ≥ Carbohydrate(CHO) ≥ Moisture ≥ Dry matter(DM) ≥ Ash(A) ≥Ether (FAT) ≥ Crude fibre(CF) ≥ Crude protein(CP). Mineral contents decreased in the order: Ca ≥ Mg ≥ Na ≥ K ≥ N ≥ P ≥ Mn ≥ Cu ≥ Zn. The vitamins also decreased in the order: Vitamin C ≥ β– Carotene ≥ Niacin ≥ Thiamin≥ Riboflavin. The mean values of Mercury (0.013 m g/kg) and Cadmium (0.426 m g/kg) were well above the FAO/WHO standards (0.01/0.02 m g/kg). Hazard Quotient (HQ) of toxic elements were >1, and Hazard Index (HI) found to be >1, indicating potential human health risk. Recommendations were made.
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