Evaluation of Metal Contaminations in Vegetables Sold in Local Market

Heavy metals or trace elements play an important role in the metabolic pathways during the growth and development of plants. When these heavy metal present in higher amount, or even in small amount have negative health consequence, affecting the nutritional status, metabolic rate, the integrity of detoxification pathway. In present amount heavy metal absorbed by the vegetables were taken under study. 21 samples of vegetables were collected from local vegetable market and were analyzed for the amount of toxic heavy metals [Cu ( ), Co ( ), Fe ( ), Ni ( ), and Cd ( )], which are harmful for health. Analysis of toxic heavy metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) showed that Cd ( ) was most abundant element among all samples. The data obtained following concentration ranges in mg/kg, high concentration of Cd was found 1.9 and 2.1 in the samples Beta vulgaris, and Praecitrullus fistulosus respectively. The higher concentration of Cobalt was found in both Sipacea oleracea and Rhaphnus sativa was 0.62mg/kg This may be Overall, decreasing metal concentration order in various samples: Cd Co Fe Ni Cu.

Autorentext

Dr. Tahira Mughal, professor of Botany in LCWU, having more then 25 international & national publication and won "best teacher award of 2010" from HEC,Pakistan, Kiran Zahid student of MS, Saba Khalid PS of Controller of examinations, having 2 publications & doing Papers and projects.