Determination of heavy metal contamination of street-vended fruits and vegetables in Lagos state Nigeria

Ogunkunle A. T. J., . and Bello O. S., . and Ojofeitimi O. S., . Determination of heavy metal contamination of street-vended fruits and vegetables in Lagos state Nigeria. pp. 1725-1730. ISSN 22317546

Fruits and vegetables are edible plant products that are good for health. Precise qualitative and quantitative analyses of heavy metals present in them are important for accurate nutritional labeling determination of compliance with the standard of identification and in ensuring that the products meet manufacturers specification. Data and information about heavy metal contamination of street-vended fruits and vegetables in many parts of Nigeria are not available in the literature. Therefore 162 samples consisting of six different fruits and leafy vegetables were purchased from two major markets in Lagos Nigeria and analyzed for their heavy metal concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Cadmium (Cd) zinc (Zn) copper (Cu) cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) were found in the samples of the three types of fruits (mango pawpaw and watermelon) and three types of leafy vegetables (smooth amaranth cabbage and lettuce) studied; but chromium (Cr) arsenic (Ar) and mercury (Hg) were not detected in all. Manganese (Mn) and Lead (Pb) were also absent in mango and smooth amaranth respectively. The results further indicated that the fruits and vegetables collected from the chosen markets have heavy metal concentration within the safe limits prescribed by WHO/FAO except for Pb. The study will bring awareness to consumers of these items about what they are taking and the health implication as well as assist them and the farmers in taking necessary precautions towards proper care of their fruits and vegetables before consumption. This will indeed be a good way of reducing substantial quantity of contaminants from getting to the human body thereby avoiding health problems with its attendant positive economic implications.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://ifrj.upm.edu.my/21%20(05)%202014/3%20IFRJ%2...

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables are edible plant products that are good for health. Precise qualitative and quantitative analyses of heavy metals present in them are important for accurate nutritional labeling determination of compliance with the standard of identification and in ensuring that the products meet manufacturers specification. Data and information about heavy metal contamination of street-vended fruits and vegetables in many parts of Nigeria are not available in the literature. Therefore 162 samples consisting of six different fruits and leafy vegetables were purchased from two major markets in Lagos Nigeria and analyzed for their heavy metal concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Cadmium (Cd) zinc (Zn) copper (Cu) cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) were found in the samples of the three types of fruits (mango pawpaw and watermelon) and three types of leafy vegetables (smooth amaranth cabbage and lettuce) studied; but chromium (Cr) arsenic (Ar) and mercury (Hg) were not detected in all. Manganese (Mn) and Lead (Pb) were also absent in mango and smooth amaranth respectively. The results further indicated that the fruits and vegetables collected from the chosen markets have heavy metal concentration within the safe limits prescribed by WHO/FAO except for Pb. The study will bring awareness to consumers of these items about what they are taking and the health implication as well as assist them and the farmers in taking necessary precautions towards proper care of their fruits and vegetables before consumption. This will indeed be a good way of reducing substantial quantity of contaminants from getting to the human body thereby avoiding health problems with its attendant positive economic implications.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Market fruits
AGROVOC Term:	Market vegetables
AGROVOC Term:	Heavy metals
AGROVOC Term:	Contaminants
AGROVOC Term:	Street vendors
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/21841

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