ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL STATUS IN FRESH AND CANNED FRUITS, VEGETABLE COLLECTED FROM SUPERMARKET AND IRRIGATION FARMS OF AKAKI, AWASH, ARBA MINCH AREAS, ETHIOPIA.

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.