International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 3 (4), pp. 290-295, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of trace metal levels in commonly used vegetables sold at selected Markets in Ghana.

Sarpong K, Dartey E and Owusu-Mensah I

Faculty of Science and Environment Education,University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. P.O. Box 40, Asante - Mampong, Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 12 June, 2014

Abstract 

Trace metal levels were assessed in edible parts of thirteen (13) common vegetables sold at seven (7) selected markets; Kumasi, Asante-Mampong, Obuasi, Nkenkesu, Akomadan, Daboase and Nobekwaw in Ghana. The vegetable samples were analysed for Pb, Fe, Zn and Cu using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The concentration of Pb registered in Lactuca sativa (1.82 mg/kg), Daucus carota (1.72 mg/kg), Solanum melongena (1.44 mg/kg) and Cucumis sativus (1.37 mg/kg) all from Obuasi were above the FAO/WHO MPL of 0.3 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of Zn in the vegetable samples were all below the FAO/WHO MPL of 100 mg/kg with the exception of Piper nigrum from Kumasi which recorded a mean Zn value of 298.78 mg/kg. The highest mean Fe concentration of 698.79 mg/kg was registered in Lycopersicum esculentus, above the WHO/FAO MPL for Fe of 425 mg/kg.  The mean concentration of Cu recorded for all the vegetables were below the FAO/WHO MPL of 73 mg/kg for Cu. The overall mean concentration of trace metals in the vegetables analysed appeared to be within safe limits laid down by FAO/WHO.

Key words: Trace metals, maximum permissible level, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, mean concentration, edible parts.