Assessment Of Heavy Metals In Amaranthus Spinosus, Kigali, Rwanda.
Volume 3 - Issue 10, October 2019 Edition
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Author(s)
Protogene Hakizimana, Abias Maniragaba, Francois Xavier Nshimiyimana
Keywords
Amaranthus Spinosus, heavy metal, soil, leave
Abstract
Spiny amaranths “Amaranthus spinosus†is a common leafy vegetable and is locally called dodo. It is grown both in wet and dry seasons and harvested between 30-40 days after planting. Because of its nutritional importance and demand but also less expensive it is widely cultivated especially in Kigali, Rwanda. The level of heavy metals in soil and leaf samples of Amaranthus spinosus grown in seven sites were performed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission. The objective of study was to assess the level of heavy metals in soil and in leaves of amaranthus spinosus. The heavy metals that were assessed are: Manganese (Mn); Zinc (Zn); Copper (Cu); Cadmium (Cd); Iron (Fe); Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb). The results obtained revealed that their concentrations in soil ranged between : Mn ( 45.3-243.5); Zn (37.8-56.7) ; Cu (5.3-44.6); Cd (0.09-0.21); Fe (1789-2896); Ni (9.6-23.8) and in the leaves the concentration of some heavy metals are ranged between: Mn (0.22-0.56); Zn (0.89-1.52); Cu (0.12-0.34); Fe (66.67-92,7); Ni (0.04-3.12) in mg/kg from all sites. The Lead (Pb) was not detected in soil and in leaves samples, and cadmium “Cd†is not detected in leaves samples. The values of all heavy metals analyzed from in whole samples in present sites were under the threshold values established by European organization and World Health Organization (WHO for food and vegetables). The results are an indication that the spiny amaranths leaves had the potential to be used as source of nutrients in alleviating macro- and micro- nutrient deficiencies. The study will bring awareness to consumers of these items about what they are taking and the health implication as well as assist them and the farmers in taking necessary precautions towards proper care of their fruits and vegetables before consumption. This will indeed be a good way of reducing substantial quantity of contaminants from getting to the human body thereby avoiding health problems, with its attendant positive economic implications.
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