Assessment of trace metal levels in commonly used vegetables sold at selected Markets in Ghana.
Assessment of trace metal levels in commonly used vegetables sold at selected Markets in Ghana.
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Date
2014
Authors
Dartey, Emmanuel
Sarpong, K
Owusu-Mensah, I
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
Abstract
Trace metal levels were assessed in edible parts of thirteen (13) common vegetables sold at seven (7)
selected markets; Kumasi, Asante-Mampong, Obuasi, Nkenkesu, Akomadan, Daboase and Nobekwaw in
Ghana. The vegetable samples were analysed for Pb, Fe, Zn and Cu using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry. The concentration of Pb registered in Lactuca sativa (1.82 mg/kg), Daucus carota (1.72
mg/kg), Solanum melongena (1.44 mg/kg) and Cucumis sativus (1.37 mg/kg) all from Obuasi were above the
FAO/WHO MPL of 0.3 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of Zn in the vegetable samples were all below the
FAO/WHO MPL of 100 mg/kg with the exception of Piper nigrum from Kumasi which recorded a mean Zn
value of 298.78 mg/kg. The highest mean Fe concentration of 698.79 mg/kg was registered in Lycopersicum
esculentus, above the WHO/FAO MPL for Fe of 425 mg/kg. The mean concentration of Cu recorded for all
the vegetables were below the FAO/WHO MPL of 73 mg/kg for Cu. The overall mean concentration of trace
metals in the vegetables analysed appeared to be within safe limits laid down by FAO/WHO.
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Citation
Sarpong, K., Dartey, E., & Owusu-Mensah, I. (2014). Assessment of trace metal levels in commonly used vegetables sold at selected Markets in Ghana. International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 3, 290-295.