Transportation of Arsenic (As) and Chromium (Cr) in some Fruits and Vegetables Plants and Variation of Nutritional Profiles due to Contamination

Abstract

Contamination of Arsenic (As) and Chromium (Cr) are caused by both anthropogenic and manmade sources. These metals are highly reactive, carcinogenic and can cause severe problem with minimum amount of contamination. Agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes and environmental systems are considered significant contributors for these heavy metals transport to food chain despite their existence in natural condition. In this study, freshly prepared heavy metal solutions were used to see the overall transportation to planted vegetables and fruits. Concentrations of Cr and As were assessed in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Significant level of Chromium (Cr) contamination were found in each of the leafs of vegetable and fruit plants ranges from 5.73 mg/g-23.22 mg/g while comparatively very low level of Arsenic (As) contamination were found in same samples ranges from 0.027 mg/g- 1.283 mg/g. Due to presence of metals in leafs the nutritive value also falls and the amount of crude protein drastically decreased and the amount of crude fiber gradually increased and replaced the protein portion.