Assessment of heavy metals in three selected vegetables

Description

Assessment of heavy metals in three selected vegetables.

Abstract

Consumption of contaminated vegetables constitutes an important route of heavy metal exposure to animals and humans. The present study is aimed at determining the heavy metal concentrations of selected vegetables in Ilesha markets, Osun state. Three samples of the vegetables were purchased from Ilesha markets in Osun State, Nigeria. The edible portion of the collected vegetable samples was properly separated, washed and chopped into small pieces using a knife. The vegetables were air-dried and then dried in an oven at 80 °C. Dried samples of the vegetables were ground into a fine powder (80 mesh) using a commercial blender. Heavy metals in vegetable samples were extracted by acid digestion and analyzed for Cadmium, Lead, Cobalt, Chromium and Nickel using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained showed that Waterleaf, African spinach and Lagos spinach had Cadmium (0.01±0.006, 0.02±0.006 and 0.005±0.006 mg/kg), Lead (0.48±0.06, 0.46±0.01 and 0.29±0.008 mg/kg), Cobalt (0.99±0.07, 0.23±0.008 and 0.87±0.006mg/kg), Chromium (0.11±0.008, 0.01±0.006 and 0.04±0.006 mg/kg) and Nickel (0.005±0.006, 0.01±0.006 and 0.01±0.006). Vegetables assessed for heavy metals are within the required regulatory standard for heavy metals permissible level.