Determination of the Levels of Essential and Non-Essential Metals in Commercialy Available Ethiopian Red Pepper (Capsicum Annuum)
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The concentrations of essential (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) and non-essential metals (Cd
and Pb) in Ethiopian red pepper samples were determined because such studies have not been
reported in the literature. The pepper samples were collected from Alaba, Mareko and Addis
Ababa open market (Merkato) and analyzed for metals using flame atomic absorption
spectroscopy after wet digestion. The metal concentrations in the samples were found to be
161-222 μg/g, 1.02-2.24 μg/g, 27.5-73.6 μg/g, 2.12-3.71 μg/g, 99.5-157 μg/g, 9.72-18.95 μg/g,
2.71-6.68 μg/g and 20.8-58.4 μg/g for calcium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese,
nickel and zinc respectively. The mean levels of metals (Fe and Ca) in the red pepper samples
from Alaba were found to be highest Co, Cu, Ni and Zn were found in the highest level in
Mareko than with in Alaba and Merkato peppers. While chromium and manganese were
available with maximum levels in Merkato peppers.
The concentrations of metals in Ethiopia pepper were comparable to values reported in
literature from different parts of the world.
The trace metals levels in either sample were found to be lower than the WHO allowed limit.
However Cr is found above the limit.
Keywords: Macro and micro (trace) metals, Pepper, pungency, AAS (Atominc absorption
sepectomety)
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Keywords
Macro and micro (trace) metals; Pepper; pungency; AAS (Atominc absorption sepectomety)