Abstract:
Despite the nutritional benefits obtained from fruit and vegetable consumption, the presence
of heavy metals accompanying it from the environment draw scientific concerns as this affects
human health. Food chain contamination by heavy metals has become a critical issue in recent
years because of their potential accumulation in bio systems through contaminated water, air,
soil and irrigation water. Industrial discharge, fertilizers, contaminated irrigation water, fossil
fuels, sewage sludge and municipality wastes are the major sources of heavy metal
contamination in soils and subsequent uptake by food crops. The main objective of this paper
was to asses the levels of heavy metals in Fresh and Industrially Canned Fruit species
available in markets. Samples of fresh (Tomato, Orange, Mango, Papaya and Pineapple) with
industrially canned (orange juice, mango juice, papaya juice, pineapple juice and tomato
paste) were collected by simple random sampling methods from supermarket and irrigation
farms of Akaki, Awash, and Arba Minch areas. Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer was used after acid digestion to determine Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and
Zn present in fruit species. The results obtained showed that the food samples contained
considerable nutritional value that may meet body needs. Additionally, there was a significant
difference (P<0.05) in heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) observed for fruit species collected from
Akaki sampling site. This study suggests that most fruit species had heavy metals within
(WHO/FAO) permissible limit. Fruits sampled from Akaki site had (Cd, Cr and Pb) levels
above the WHO/FAO permissible limits. The levels of (Cd, Cr and Pb) analyzed in tomato
sample from Akaki site was found Cd (1.33), Cr (1.23), and Pb (1.58) mg/g, which was above
the recommended level, whereas the max. permissible values for these trace metals were (0.2),
(0.1), and (0.3) mg/g respectively, as indicated by (WHO/FAO, 2012). Based on the
observations in this study, there is a need for continuity of heavy metals inspection in
agricultural products so as to prevent contamination and secure human safety.
