Authors : Wath Manjusha
Page Nos : 167-172
Description :
Taking up of heavy metal through vegetable may produce many health defect, this study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metal like (Pb and Cd), in vegetables. By monitoring levels of heavy metals in vegetables can help to develop as insight towards promoting food safety. Therefore, the present study was carried to find out significant contamination of vegetables sold at the open market sites of Amravati city. Heavy metal (such as Cd and Pb) concentrations were determined in some of the vegetables sold along the major roads and traffic junctions of Amravati city. The results showed that the mean concentrations of heavy metals were highest for Pb followed by Cd. Among the vegetables, the mean concentration of Pb (1.27 0.03) was highest in Trigonella foenum graecum. While mean Cd concentration (0.80 0.01) was highest in both the vegetables in this city. The concentrations of heavy metals in different vegetable varied with the vegetable types and collection sites. Leafy vegetables accumulated higher concentration of heavy metals. In has been reported that the concentration of Cd was higher in Brassica oleracea than Trigonella foenum – graecum it may because cauliflower having a higher exposed area of inflorescent and porus nature to absorb toxic metals. The concentration of Pb was higher in Trigonella foenum - graecum than B. olerocea. But at concentrations below the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) safe limit. Overall, this study indicates that vegetables are contaminated by toxic metals. Overall, this study indicates that vegetables are contaminated by few toxic metals.
