Browsing by Author "Debebe Ayalew"

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    Studies of Enset (Enset Ventricosum) for Major, Minor and Trace Elements
    (Addis Ababa Universty, 2006-07) Debebe Ayalew; Chandravanshi B.S. (Professor)
    This paper presents the concentration of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Co, Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Mn in Enset ventricosum. Samples of enset were collected from Wolliso (Oromiya region) and Wolkite (SNNPRG) in March 2006. Total acid (4 mL mixture of HNO3 and HClO4) digestion method was employed and determination was made by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The percentage recoveries of the metals were in the range of 85% to 120%. The ranges of the concentrations (μg/g) of the metals on dry weight basis are: Ca 36,100 – 39,100; Mg 24,900 – 26,900; K 14,100 – 32,200; Zn 11.9 – 42.3; Cu 1.5 – 5.2, Co 2.8 – 10.5; Cr 5.8 – 7.6; Fe 18.2 – 54.4; Mn 2 _ 5; Ni 1 – 4 and Cd 0.6 _ 1.8.. The result obtained implies the plant is rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium and has small concentration of non-essential trace elements. Key words: Enset, Enset ventricosum, Acid digestion, Major elements, Minor Elements, Trace Elements, Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy .