Trace Element Levels in Fruits and Vegetable by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)

Different trace metals levels [Nickel, palladium, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron] were determined in various vegetables such as cabbage, carrot, onion, tomato and fruits like apple, grape banana etc cultivated around Visakhapatnam City. The contributions of the vegetables to the daily intake of trace metals from vegetables were investigated. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of these metals in the vegetables and fruits. The average concentrations of each heavy metal regardless of the kind of vegetable and fruits were in the range of 0.003- 0.67 and in fruits 0.01-0.95 respectively. It was observed that the concentrations of zinc and cadmium in food crops increased with the degree of contamination of the soil. The vegetables grown in this region are a health hazard for human consumption.