Elemental distribution in summer fruits of Pakistan

Abstract

Levels of the selected major and minor elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn and Fe) in 11 summer fruits grown in Pakistan were estimated by the flame AAS method based on HNO3/HClO4 wet‐digestion method. The metal concentrations are expressed as X for triplicate sub‐samples with a standard deviation of ±1.0‐1.5 per cent. Of all the minor elements analyzed, Fe was found to be the dominant metal on mean basis as compared with other metals in fruits, its concentration being 14.25mg/kg. The increasing order of minor‐element concentration was: Cd<Pb<Zn<Cr<Ni<Fe. While for major elements, K concentration was found to be maximum as 409.7mg/kg and increasing order was: Ca<Na<Mg<K. In general, minor‐element concentrations were found to surpass the safe limit laid down by the World Health Organization. Fruits were found to be a rich resource of major elements.

Mineral characterization of native fruits from the southern region of Brazil

“…Contamination by Cd is dependent on the plant species and the growing conditions, with possible aggravations due to irrigation with contaminated water and/or use of fertilizers and herbicides during the cultivation process (Jansson, 2002). Compared with the values found in the present study, Hamurcu et al (2010) determined that the Cd levels of fruit grown near highways are higher compared with the reported values for apples (0.16 µg.g The cadmium content in fruits has been reported to be 0.65-1.34 µg.g -1 (Sattar et al, 1989), 0.09-0.21 µg.g -1 (Zahoor et al, 2003), 0.16-0.24 µg.g -1 (Abou-Arab et al, 1999), 0.002-0.05 µg.g -1 (Radwan & Salama, 2006), 0.1-0.81 µg.g -1 (Duran et al, 2008) and 0.02-0.72 µg.g -1 (Saracoglu et al, 2009). …”

“…According to the World Health Organization (1996), the maximum limit of Pb allowed for food is 10 µg.g -1 . Comparing this limit to the values measured in this study, these fruits are considered acceptable, with lower Pb values than those reported in the literature at 0.48-2.14 µg.g -1 (Altundag & Tuzen, 2011), 1.91 µg.g -1 (Saracoglu et al, 2009), 6.6-9.2 µg.g -1 (Sattar et al, 1989), and 1.66 µg.g -1 (Zahoor et al, 2003). This metal is frequently found in high concentrations in plants grown near highways, as reported by Hamurcu et al (2010) for apples (2.21 µg.g Known for multiple adverse effects on human health, both Pb and Cd are toxic agents associated with environmental contamination and industrial waste.…”

Trace metal contents in chewing gums and candies marketed in Turkey

“…Many different studies and methods for heavy metal determination in different food stuffs have been reported in the literature including dry, wet and microwave digestion methods to investigate heavy metal levels in cheese, fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, sweets, chocolates, honey, snacks, appetizers, etc. (Soylak et al 2006;Radwan and Salama 2006;Zahoor et al 2003;Yebra and Cancela 2005;Nascentes et al 2004;Saracoglu et al 2004). Sweets including chewing gums and candies are not exactly a food, but it is especially consumed by children and pregnant woman with ingesting or chewing by teeth in mouth.…”

Evaluation of trace element contents of dried apricot samples from Turkey

“…Fruits principally contain citric, tartaric and malic acids, with pH varying between 2.5 and 4.5. Other constituents of fruits include cellulose and woody fibers, mineral salts, pectin, gums, tannins, coloring matters and volatile oils [4]. However, in the advent of recent heavy metal contamination of the environment, the analysis of TE in seasonal fruit samples has gained considerable importance due to health considerations.…”