Characterization of Heavy Metals in Vegetables Using Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyzer (ICPA)

Abstract

The heavy metals or trace elements play an important role in the metabolic pathways during the growth and development of plants, when available in required concentration. The heavy metal concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) was analyzed using Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyzer (ICPA) (Perkin-Elmer ICP Optima 3300 RL, USA) in 21 vegetables collected from Vegetable Market of Anand town, Gujarat. The vegetables are Lady’s Finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), Onion (Alium sepa), Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), Beat (Brassica oleracea), Chilli (Capsicum annum), Tindora (Coccinia indica), Pattarveli (Colocasia sp.), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Vetches/Gavar (Cyamopsis soralioides), Bean Pods (Dolichos lablab), Carrot (Ductus carrotus), Ginger (Gingiber officinalis), Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas), Bottle Gourd (Lagernaria vulgaris), Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia), Drumstick (Moringa oleifera), Brinjal (Solanum melongena) and Parwar (Trichosanthes dioicea). The high concentration of Cd was found in Onion, Coriander and Cauliflower, while Co and Cu content was recorded high in Cauliflower and Bottle Gourd. On the other hand, high content of Fe was observed in Cauliflower and Cucumber. Vetches and Lady’s Finger had shown high concentration of Ni. Cauliflower and Onion showed high amount of Pb. On the other hand, Cucumber and Cauliflower registered maximum content of Zn. The heavy metal concentration in vegetables was within the prescribed safety limits except Fe owing to iron-rich soil of the area. The distribution and characterization of heavy metals in vegetables was studied in detail and discussed in this paper. @JASEM