“…Environmental contamination by heavy metals has become a major concern for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems around the globe during the past few decades ( Kohli et al, 2018 , Mallhi et al, 2019 , Bali et al, 2018 , Bali et al, 2019a , Bali et al, 2019b , Ullah et al, 2020 ). Heavy metals once introduced into the environment cannot be biodegraded and when entered the food chain pose serious threats to food security and safety hence human health ( Azizpour et al, 2020 , Souri et al, 2021 , Bhat et al, 2021 , Siddiqui et al, 2020 , Kaya et al, 2020 , Ahmad et al, 2020a , Ahmad et al, 2020b , Alsahli et al, 2020 ). According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Lead (Pb), is a ubiquitous industrial and environmental pollutant that is ranked second based on its occurrence and toxicity to living organisms.…”