Heavy metal contamination of fruits and vegetables cannot be undervalued as they are vital components of human diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibers, and also have beneficial anti oxidative effects. However, intake of heavy metal-contaminated fruits and vegetables is a threat to human health. In this research work, the analysis and evaluation of the effect of heavy metals in fruits and vegetables were investigated. The apparatus/equipment used in this research work include atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) Model (Perkins Elmer A analyst 100), weighing balance, blending machine, plungers/syring, beaker (100 ml), funnel, white man filter paper, distilled water, wash bottle, cotton wool, squeezer, volumetric flask and pipette (10 ml). Fruits and vegetables samples were collected from local market in Nigeria. The selected fruits and vegetables used in this present work include; orange fruit, pineapple fruit, water leaf, and pumpkin leaf. The analysis is basically connected with the analytical determination of the heavy metals (i.e., lead, zinc, iron, nickel, copper and cadmium) concentration present in fruits and vegetables. The analyses of the aforementioned heavy metals were conducted with an Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS) with model Perkins Elmer AA100. The results obtained reveal that Iron has the highest value of concentration followed by Zinc in all samples analyzed. However, the concentration of metals present in the selected fruits and vegetables were below the maximum permissible limit of 0.30mg/l which is WHO/FAO standard except for Iron (Fe). Thus, the fruits and vegetables can be consumed.
Heavy metals, Vegetables, Fruits, Contamination, Concentration, Human health
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