Determination Of The Levels Of Essential And Non-essential Metals In Commercialy Available Ethiopian Red Pepper (capsicum Annuum)

The concentrations of essential (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) and non-essential metals (Cdrnand Pb) in Ethiopian red pepper samples were determined because such studies have not beenrnreported in the literature. The pepper samples were collected from Alaba, Mareko and AddisrnAbaba open market (Merkato) and analyzed for metals using flame atomic absorptionrnspectroscopy after wet digestion. The metal concentrations in the samples were found to bern161-222 μg/g, 1.02-2.24 μg/g, 27.5-73.6 μg/g, 2.12-3.71 μg/g, 99.5-157 μg/g, 9.72-18.95 μg/g,rn2.71-6.68 μg/g and 20.8-58.4 μg/g for calcium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese,rnnickel and zinc respectively. The mean levels of metals (Fe and Ca) in the red pepper samplesrnfrom Alaba were found to be highest Co, Cu, Ni and Zn were found in the highest level inrnMareko than with in Alaba and Merkato peppers. While chromium and manganese werernavailable with maximum levels in Merkato peppers.rnThe concentrations of metals in Ethiopia pepper were comparable to values reported inrnliterature from different parts of the world.rnThe trace metals levels in either sample were found to be lower than the WHO allowed limit.rnHowever Cr is found above the limit.rnKeywords: Macro and micro (trace) metals, Pepper, pungency, AAS (Atominc absorptionrnsepectomety)

Get Full Work

Report copyright infringement or plagiarism