Assessment of Trace Metals Concentration in Vegetables from Gombe Markets, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the concentration of trace metals in vegetables (lettuce, tomato and cabbage) from Gombe markets, Gombe State, Nigeria. A total of 60 samples of vegetables were analyzed for trace metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentration of Cd in lettuce, tomato and cabbage samples ranged from (0.05 - 0.06 mg/kg), (0.03 - 0.07 mg/kg) and (0.08 - 0.90 mg/kg),  Pb ranged from (BDL - 0.02 mg/kg), (BDL - 0.03 mg/kg) and (0.01 - 0.02 mg/kg), Mn ranged from (0.27 - 1.02 mg/kg), (0.09 - 0.12 mg/kg) and (0.25 - 0.31 mg/kg), Cr ranged from (0.05 - 0.65 mg/kg), (0.04 - 0.05 mg/kg) and (0.03 - 0.05 mg/kg), Zn ranged from (2.67 - 3.32 mg/kg), (1.93 - 2.87 mg/kg) and (2.45 - 3.26 mg/kg), Ni ranged from (0.68 - 0.77 mg/kg), (0.23 - 0.26 mg/kg) and (0.73 - 0.86 mg/kg), and Cu ranged from (0.95 - 0.97 mg/kg), (0.76 - 0.83 mg/kg) and (0.94 - 1.00 mg/kg) respectively.  The abundance of trace metals was found in decreasing order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Mn > Cr > Cd > Pb in lettuce, tomato and cabbage samples. The concentration of trace metals in the different vegetables were below the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/ FAO) standard, except Cd in all studied samples. Therefore, monitoring and strict regulation is recommended to control the safety of vegetables sold in these markets.