Trace Metals in Vegetables and Cereals- A Case Study of Indian Market-2016

Background & Aims of the Study: Vegetables and Cereals are considered vital for properlybalanceddiet given that they deliver vitamins, minerals, nutritional fiber, and phytochemicals.This study aimed to assess the concentration of As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg in commonvegetables and cereals in urban open markets in Varanasi district, IndiaMaterials & Methods: Total 260 edible portions of vegetable samples of 13 species werecollected in March to October, 2016 from predefined market sites. These samples classified intoroots, stems, leafy vegetables, fruits, and legumes. These samples (unwashed, acetic acid washedand boiled) were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The statistical evaluationswere carried out using the IBM SPSS 21.Results: The results obtained reveal that unwashed vegetables and cereals as compared towashed and boiled samples contain higher trace metal concentration. The order of heavy metalconcentration was observed in Cu> Pb> Cd> As in vegetable and cereals samples. Hg and Cr werenot detected in any samples. The mean value of Cu, Cd and Pb in unwashed and washedvegetables and cereals were lower than PFA standard except As, whereas in boiled vegetablesand cereals are lower than PFA standard but the mean value of Cd and Pb were many foldshigher than the EU standard at all the market site samples. Leafy vegetables were found tocontain the highest metals values especially Spinacia oleracea followed by roots vegetable likeBrassica rapa, at all the studied sites. The market sites MS3 located in the vicinity of industrialzone and in proximity to national highway showed elevated levels of trace metals concentrationin the vegetables and cereals as compared to other market sites.Conclusions: The results showed that, the As, Cu, Cd and Pb concentration were reduced toabout 12.5%, 5.87%, 11.36% and 10.42% of the initial concentrations by 2% acetic acid washingand to 25%, 21.87%, 20.45% and 16.67% of the initial concentrations by washing followed byboiling. The boiled vegetables and cereals may reduce the risk of trace metal intake from thevegetables and cereals significantly.

Keywords:

VegetablesCerealsTrace MetalsHeavy MetalsSolanum tuberosumDaucus carota , Varanasi