Quantitative Determination of the Accumulation Level of Selected Essential and Toxic Heavy Metals in Korarima (Aframomum Corrorima), Ginger (Zingiber Officinale), Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) and Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) Spice Plants and their Corresponding Soils Cultivated In Jima Zone, South West Ethiopia.
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Date
2014-06-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The level of accumulation of selected essential and non-essential metals, namely; Ca, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb, and Cr have been investigated in the seeds, fruits, and rhizomes, which is the edible part of some spice plants used for food flavoring in Ethiopia and their respective soil samples. These include seed of Aframomum corrorima (korarima), fruit of Piper nigrum (black pepper), rhizomes of Zingiber officenale (ginger), and rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and their respective soil samples. All dried plant and soil samples were digested by wet digestion using appropriate concentrated acids such as HNO3, HClO4, HCl, and H2O2. The contents of the metals in the digests were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. From analyzed essential elements: Ca (429.01 – 5369.67 mg kg−1) was the predominant metal followed by Zn (31.88 – 67.70 mg kg−1), and Cu (7.62 – 10.67 mg kg−1) in all the spice plant. Whereas the non-essential or toxic metals like Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb were not detected in all spice plants. Acidity, organic matter content and electrical conductivity of soil samples were found in the range of 5.86 – 6.57, 13.93 - 20.59 % and 0.28 - 0.49 mS/m respectively. In the soil samples, Ca (1195.67 – 4147.17 mg kg−1) was the most abundant metal followed by Zn (112.90 – 120.25 mg kg−1), Cr (21.92 – 45.76 mg kg−1), Ni (21.40 – 56.93 mg kg−1) and Cu (13.03 – 28.67 mg kg−1). While Pb and Cd were not detected in all soil samples. The levels of all metals determined in the spice plants and the respective soil samples are below the standard set by WHO/FAO and in good agreement with those reported in the literature and the standards set for the soil by various legislative authorities.
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Spice, Korarima, Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Heavy Metal, Wet Digestion, Faas