MARKET BASKET SURVEY OF SELECTED METALS IN FRUITS FROM KARACHI CITY (PAKISTAN)

Abstract

Metals are essential for important biochemical and physiological functions and are necessary for maintaining health throughout life. In order to assess the impact of human activity on the food chain, monitoring of trace metals in a variety of fruits being sold in Karachi’s metropolis has been focus of this study. Trace levels of heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, Cd, Cr and Zn were determined in 10 different varieties of fruits purchased from local market of Karachi city of Pakistan. The dried powdered samples were digested in 1: 3 mixtures of Perchloric acid (HClO 4) and Nitric acid (HNO 3) and metal levels were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were in the range of 7.924-24.674 ug/g Fe, 0.531-7.571 ug/g Pb, 0.013-0.612 ug/g Mn, 0.543-3.234 ug/g Cu, 0.144-5.033 ug/g Ni, 0.1730.299 ug/g Cd, 3.268-4.343 ug/g Cr, 0.138-21.409 ug/g Zn, 0.104-1.168 ug/g Co.