LEVELS OF SELECTED METALS IN THE FRUITS OF A WILD EDIBLE PLANT (RUBUS STEUDNERI SCHWEINF) AND ITS UNDERLYING SOIL

This study was focused on investigation of amount of macro and trace metals present in the fruit samples of Rubus steudneri Schweinf plant and its underlying soil samples collected from Chencha, Dega Damot and Fiche areas of Ethiopia. The levels of selected metals (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) were determined by microwave plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy using wet-digestion technique. The validity of the method was checked by the analysis of spiked samples whose recovery was found in the range of 90.5-108%. The mean concentration of metals K, Mg, Fe, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd in the fruit samples were found in the range of 9463-9836, 973-1099, 328-639, 2663-2999, 29.6-52.8, 6.70-8.87, 128-639, 2.54-3.37 and 0.26-1.21 mg/kg, respectively. The level of metals in the soil samples were found in the range of 1375-1790, 1169-1388, 74951-104145, 2079-3502, 122-149, 21.6-40.4, 1359-1931, 7.11-17.0 and ND mg/kg, respectively. The accumulation factor values for the tested metals were found in the range of 0.003 (Fe) 7.07 (K). The Rubus steudneri Schweinf fruit is good source of essential metals and useful to human health. However, the concentration of toxic metals viz. Cd and Pb were found in amount excess as compared to WHO/FAO maximum permissible limit.

Automated summary

This study examined the levels of macro and trace metals in Rubus steudneri Schweinf fruit and soil samples, finding that the fruit is a good source of essential metals but had excess levels of toxic metals Cd and Pb. The method used for analysis was validated with spiked samples showing a recovery rate within the expected range. Accumulation factor values for the tested metals ranged from 0.003 (Fe) to 7.07 (K).