Study of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgari Mill) Fruits for Major and Trace Elements Cultivated in Ethiopia
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Date
2010-07
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Levels of selected metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb) were
determined in fennel fruit and the soil from which it was grown. The samples were
collected from the Addis Ababa and Gojam area (Northern Ethiopia). Oven dried fennel
fruit was grinded and 0.5 g portion of the sample was digested by wet digestion method
using 2.5 mL of HNO3 and HClO4 in quick-fit round bottom flasks (100 mL) fitted with
reflux condenser by using Kjeldahl micro hot plate apparatus. Similar procedure was
followed for soil digestion using 2 mL HNO3 (69-72%), 4 mL 36% and 1.5 mL of H2O2
(36%). The levels of the above elements were determined using flame atomic absorption
spectrometer. The highest concentration of Fe (28,000 μg/g) and Ca (23,000 μg/g) were
obtained from the soil and fennel fruit, respectively. Moderate concentrations of Mg (3,400
μg/g and 3,300 μg/g) were obtained from the fruit and the soil, respectively. The level of
Cd was lowest (1.91 μg/g and 2.86 μg/g) in the fruit and the soil, respectively. The
concentration of Pb was below the methoddetection limit.
Key words: Fennel fruit, Foeniculum vulgari Mill, Major elements, Trace elements, Flame
atomic absorption spectrometer.
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Keywords
Fennel fruit; Foeniculum vulgari Mill; Major elements; Trace elements; Flame atomic absorption spectrometer