scholarly journals Mitigation of heavy metals in different vegetables through biological washing techniques

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umair Sattar ◽  
Faqir Muhammad Anjum ◽  
Aysha Sameen

<p>Availability of nutritious and healthy food is the foremost challenging issue in all over the word. Vegetables are essential part in human diet and considered as natural reserves of nutrients gifted by Almighty Allah to human beings. Heavy metals are among the most toxic food pollutants and their intake through diet leads to several disorders. The sources of heavy metal contamination include waste water irrigation, industrial emissions, transportation and application of metal-based pesticides. In Pakistan this situation is more alarming as vegetables grown in peri-urban areas have shown high incidence of heavy metals accumulation. In this study effort was made to mitigate different heavy metals (Ar, Cd, Cr and Pb) in cauliflower, spinach, okra and brinjal collected from peri-urban areas through washing with different biological solutions. Heavy metals contents were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Vegetable showed high load of heavy metals in unwashed form that reduced significantly by washing with different biological solutions. Among the different biological solutions, washing of vegetables with 8% ginger solution was found to be more effective.</p>

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umair Sattar ◽  
Faqir Muhammad Anjum ◽  
Aysha Sameen

<p>Availability of nutritious and healthy food is the foremost challenging issue in all over the word. Vegetables are essential part in human diet and considered as natural reserves of nutrients gifted by Almighty Allah to human beings. Heavy metals are among the most toxic food pollutants and their intake through diet leads to several disorders. The sources of heavy metal contamination include waste water irrigation, industrial emissions, transportation and application of metal-based pesticides. In Pakistan this situation is more alarming as vegetables grown in peri-urban areas have shown high incidence of heavy metals accumulation. In this study effort was made to mitigate different heavy metals (Ar, Cd, Cr and Pb) in cauliflower, spinach, okra and brinjal collected from peri-urban areas through washing with different biological solutions. Heavy metals contents were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Vegetable showed high load of heavy metals in unwashed form that reduced significantly by washing with different biological solutions. Among the different biological solutions, washing of vegetables with 8% ginger solution was found to be more effective.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-482
Author(s):  
N. P. Setko ◽  
A. G. Setko ◽  
Ekaterina V. Bulycheva ◽  
A. V. Tyurin ◽  
E. Yu. Kalinina

Introduction. Changes in the body of children and adolescents aimed at adapting to environmental factors are determined by genetic polymorphism in xenobiotic biotransformation genes, determining the degree of susceptibility of the child’s body to pollutants, which is the basis of modern personalized preventive medicine when managing risks to the health of the child population under the influence of environmental factors. Material and methods. Trace elements, including heavy metals, lead and cadmium, were determined in the hair of 256 practically healthy teenagers by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Depending on the level of content of the latter, two groups of adolescents were formed to determine six genes of the cytochrome P-450 family. Group 1 consisted of adolescents whose cadmium lead content exceeded the average Russian indices. The second group included adolescents whose heavy metals were above the level of average Russian standards. Results. Studies have shown that in adolescents of the 1st group, compared with the data of adolescents of the 2nd group, an increase in the number of carriers of two mutant alleles at the locus rs 1048943 (gene CYP1A1) is 3.08 times, rs 464621 (gene CYP1A1) is 1. 8 times; locus rs 2069522 (CYP1A2 gene) 3.63 times; locus rs 1799853 (CYP2C9 * 2 gene) 4.5 times; locus rs 1057910 (gene CYP2C9 * 3) 3.8 times and locus rs 2279343 (gene CYP2B6) 4.25 times. Moreover, carriers of two normal alleles in adolescents of the first group at the locus rs 1048943 (gene CYP1A1) were 5.14 times; locus rs 2279343 (CYP2B6 gene) was 6.5 fold less than among adolescents of the 2nd group; and at the locus rs 464621 (gene CYP1A1), rs 2069522 (gene CYP1A2), rs 1799853 (gene CYP2C9 * 2), rs 1057910 (gene CYP2C9 * 3) there were no carriers of normal homozygotes. Conclusion. Group 1 adolescents with heavy metal contamination of the body are carriers significantly in a greater number of pathological mutations in the genes of the cytochrome P-450 detoxification system in comparison with data from group 2 adolescents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 414-426
Author(s):  
A.O. Adekiya ◽  
A.P. Oloruntoba ◽  
S.O. Ojeniyi ◽  
B.S. Ewulo

Abstract The study investigated the level of heavy metal contamination in plants {maize (Zea mays) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)} from thirty soil samples of three locations (Epe, Igun and Ijana) in the Ilesha gold mining area, Osun State, Nigeria. Total concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Spatial variations were observed for all metals across the locations which was adduced to pH and the clay contents of the soils of each location. The results showed that heavy metals are more concentrated in the areas that are closer to the mining site and the concentrations in soil and plants (maize and tomato) decreased with increasing perpendicular distance from the mining site, indicating that the gold mine was the main sources of pollution. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in plants (tomato and maize) samples were considered to be contaminated as As, Cd and Pb respectively ranged from 0.6 - 2.04 mg kg-1, 0.8 - 5.2 mg kg-1, 0.8 - 3.04 mg kg-1 for tomato and respectively 0.60 - 2.00 mg kg-1, 1.50 - 4.60 mg kg-1 and 0.90 - 2.50 mg kg-1 for maize. These levels exceeded the maximum permissible limits set by FAO/WHO for vegetables. In conclusion, monitoring of crops for toxic heavy metals is essential for food safety in Nigeria.


Agropedology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kumar ◽  
◽  
Lal Chand Malav ◽  
Shiv Prasad ◽  
Sunita Yadav ◽  
...  

Presently, rapid industrialization and mechanization create a lot of heavy metal pollution around the globe. Both anthropogenic and natural sources are responsible for the discharge of heavy metal in the environment. Anyhow, these toxic metals reach into soil, water bodies, plants and finally to human beings through the food chain. These toxic metals create several problems in plants and living beings after intake from the soil and get accumulated in their body. Heavy metals also exhibit toxic effects on soil biological activities by affecting key microbial processes and also hamper the activities of soil microbes. Recently, due to industrial development in urban areas, heavy metal contamination has become a serious threat to peri-urban agriculture prevalent for vegetable production. There has long been a need for decontamination of these agricultural resources and prevention from the further contamination to avert the negative effects on living beings. In this article, an attempt has been made to provide an extensive understanding about different sources of heavy metal, such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) etc., in agro-ecosystem and their possible risks to soil and plants. An effort has been also made to present in brief information on remediation techniques specially phytoremediation through this review.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugonna C. Nkwunonwo ◽  
Precious O. Odika ◽  
Nneka I. Onyia

Heavy metals such as Zn, Pb, Fe, and Cu are abundant in the environment and contribute largely to the sustainability and equilibrium of ecosystem processes. However, because of their bioaccumulation, nondegradability, and the excessive amounts in which they exist, these metals contaminate the food chain and subsequently become a source of toxicity to human beings and the entire ecological function. This is a major issue of concern within the study of environmental science and geochemistry. Although there is a global significance to the issue, it seems more immediate for the developing countries (DCs) such as Nigeria, where the pressure of the teeming population escalates the exigency for human sustainability, food security, and total eradication of hunger. Within the Nigerian context, many studies have examined this all-important issue, but most of these studies are fragmented and limited within the purview of mostly individual states and localities within the country. Taken on a wider geographical scale, the discussions and perspectives of these studies on heavy metal contamination of the food chain offer insufficient insight and expose merely a snapshot of the actual situation. As a result of this, a country-wide knowledge base of the implications of heavy metals on the food chain is lacking. Thus, the present study synthesises existing literature and their findings to create a knowledge base on the vulnerability of the food chain in Nigeria. Aquatic foods, fruits, vegetables, and major staple food such as tubers are the major host of carcinogenic and mutagenic components of heavy metals in Nigeria. This study motivates the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), along with other food and agricultural agencies, to intensify their efforts in monitoring and analysing food components, and we advise consumers to eat with certain degrees of caveat.


Author(s):  
Seyed Esmael Mahdavian ◽  
RK Somashekar

Urban food security in India is a matter of growing concern. It is estimated that by 2005, 60% of India's population will be living in urban areas. The presence of heavy metals in human body always draws scientific concern as these are considered responsible for affecting health, especially in these days where the release of toxic wastes in the environment has been increased. The increasing trends in food contamination in urban areas are largely attributed to the polluted environment in urban agriculture, contaminated food transport and supply chains; poor market sanitary conditions, and the use of contaminated or waste water for irrigation purposes. The objectives of this paper to measure the levels of heavy metal contamination of fruits in Bangalore markets and assess how the heavy metal contamination might have impacted food safety standards vis a vis heavy metals on urban consumers. The results show that urban consumers are at greater risk of purchasing fresh fruits with high levels of heavy metals beyond the legally permissible limits as defined by the Indian Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. It must be noted here that these norms are less strict than international food safety norms like Codex Alimentarius or European Union standards. It is therefore suggested here that care should be taken in the following: reduce pollution at water source points; improve post harvest handling; enhance better coordination in fresh crops trading system to improve food safety standards; improve sanitary conditions for the city food markets; and increase awareness in consumers and policy makers on the dangers of heavy metal contamination in the food intake. Keywords: Heavy metals; Prevention of Food Adulteration Act; Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v4i1.2880 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.4, No.1, September 2008, pp 17-27


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-45
Author(s):  
N. Abdullahi ◽  
E. C Igwe ◽  
M. A. Dandago ◽  
N. B. Umar

The qualities of agricultural soil and water are diminishing continuously due to the rigorous anthropogenic activities currently stocking the soil with a lot of toxic chemicals including heavy metals. Heavy metals are highly persistent and non-biodegradable, control of their contamination is very tricky to handle. Their presence in soil and water is detrimental to food crops and humans. Various sources of heavy metals contaminants and the role of urban food production on human heavy metal contamination were discussed.Heavy metals have their way into the soil and food crops through wastewater irrigation and production in contaminated soil. The habitual heavy metals contamination sources for food crops are wastewater irrigation, abuse of agrochemicals, production in the contaminated field, atmospheric deposit when foods are exposed to contaminated air, and unethical mining activities. Agricultural soil in urban and peri-urban areas are heavily contaminated with heavy metal due to various anthropogenic activities. Wastewater irrigation intensify the contamination by supplying the soil with more heavy metals. The heavy metals are passed to food during production and subsequently to humans after consumption.


Author(s):  
Marcelle S. P. A. de Souza ◽  
Fabiana S. dos Santos ◽  
Luis M. S. Magalhães ◽  
Welington K. de Freitas ◽  
Givanildo de Gois ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to determine heavy metal concentrations in the tree bark of the species Poincianella pluviosa in Volta Redonda municipality, Rio de Janeiro. Four sets of barks of eight trees with three replicates each from sectors 1 (W), 2 (S), 3 (E), and 4 (N) of the Volta Redonda center corresponding to the cardinal points were collected. The samples were digested in a nitroperchloric mixture and the lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The cluster analysis (CA) formed 12 groups; among them, group 3 (G3) showed the presence of all seven elements in sector 1 and group 8 (G8) showed the presence of Pb, Zn, Fe, Ni, and Mn in sector 2. Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests showed that all elements presented statistically different values among the four sectors when compared with each other (p > 0.05). Sectors 1, 2, and 3 had the highest concentrations of heavy metals, which are directly associated with vehicle and railroad flow and iron and steel activities that are concentrated in these sectors. Bark can be used as an effective method for the monitoring of air pollution in urban areas.


Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Alexander Petukhov ◽  
Tatyana Kremleva ◽  
Galina Petukhova ◽  
Nikolay Khritokhin

This study was conducted in Tyumen (Russian Federation) to establish the effects of heavy metals’ (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cd) accumulation in soil and coltsfoot, as well as plants’ biochemical responses to such an accumulation. The mobile and acid-soluble heavy metal fractions in soils, and the heavy metal contents in plants, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Pb concentrations in soils exceeded background values. Pb content at the battery manufacturing plant was above the maximum permitted concentration. The percentages of the mobile heavy metal fractions decreased in the following order: Mn > Zn > Cu > Fe. The greatest heavy metal accumulation in soils and plants was found at the battery manufacturing and metallurgical plants examined in our study. Heavy metals’ accumulation in the aboveground part of Tussilago farfara decreased in the following order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cd. The accumulation of heavy metals stimulated the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments by 6–30%. Heavy metals provoked oxidative stress in cells, increasing the concentration of lipid peroxidation in products by up to 80%. Plant phenolics and flavonoids in the urban area of our study decreased compared to those in the control by 1.05, reaching up to 6.5 times. The change in coltsfoot catalase activity both increased and declined. Biochemical responses and heavy metal accumulation in coltsfoot from urban areas limit its use for medicinal purposes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-355
Author(s):  
Sri Damayanty ◽  
Muhammad Kamal ◽  
Arief Pawennari Muhammad

Kendari Bay is currently experiencing considerable physical pressure and pollution due to heavy metals. This study aims to determine the content of heavy metals mercury and chromium in sediment and seawater in Kendari Bay. This study uses an observational design with a descriptive approach. The study was conducted in April 2019 in five Port areas with three sampling points in each region. Samples taken are sediment and seawater. Samples taken were analyzed by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) method. The results show that all sampling points at five Ports have been contaminated with mercury and chromium in sediment and seawater. The levels of mercury and chromium have exceeded the quality standards stipulated by Minister of Environment Decree No. 51 of 2004. The highest levels of mercury and chromium in seawater and sediment are highest in the Dermaga Tempat Pendaratan Ikan (TPI). This is due to the dense traffic activity of fishing vessels, residential waste, Hospital waste, hospitality waste, tourist waste, paints on ships, oil spills, rust from shipwrecks, and heavy equipment activities from the construction of the Bahteramas Bridge or the Kendari Bay Bridge. Technology needs to control heavy metal contamination as well as policies and law enforcement regarding activities at sea that have the potential to pollute waters.


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