Determination of Heavy Metals and Nutritional Composition of Wheat (Trictum aestivum) in Dodola Woreda, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigates the concentration of selected heavy metals and the nutritional composition of wheat in Dodola Woreda, Ethiopia. The wheat samples were dried and digested using nitric acid and perchloric acid. The digestion procedure was evaluated
and showed acceptable recovery rates for the metals in the wheat samples. Metal content was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry, and the nutritional composition of the wheat was also analyzed. The results of the nutritional composition analysis showed moisture content ranging from 3.92% to 5.39%, crude fat content between 2.95% and 3.25%, crude fiber content ranging from 7.75% to 8.64%, ash content ranging from 1.03% to 1.5%, crude protein content ranging from 14.4% to 17.4%, and total carbohydrate content ranging from 64.05% to 69.69%. The Bura Adele wheat variety exhibited higher nutritional composition compared to other varieties studied. The mean concentrations of selected metals (in mg/kg dry weight basis) in the wheat samples were as follows: iron (Fe) ranged from 0.907 mg/kg to 1.367 mg/kg, zinc (Zn) ranged from 0.523 mg/kg to 1.067 mg/kg, chromium (Cr) ranged from 0.25 mg/kg to 0.897 mg/kg, copper (Cu) ranged from 0.117 mg/kg to 0.13 mg/kg, nickel (Ni) ranged from 0.136 mg/kg to 1.313 mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) ranged from 0.147 mg/kg to 0.19 mg/kg, and lead (Pb) ranged from 0.103 mg/kg to 0.25 mg/kg. Cobalt (Co) was below the method detection limit. Furthermore, a separate study was conducted on the mineral content of a similar variety of wheat, along
with soil analysis from different locations.