Inorganic nutrients and heavy metals in some wild
Loading...
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SSRN
Abstract
For centuries, wild edible plant species have sustained local communities across Africa by
supplementing households’ diets in seasons of food shortage. Wild edible plants contain
inorganic nutrients, which are essential for the proper functioning of organisms. However,
their nutritional contents have not been well researched and are generally poorly understood.
This study aimed to quantify the levels of inorganic micro-and macronutrients as well as
heavy metals (Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) in selected wild edible plants traditionally
consumed among the Acholi communities in northern Uganda, and associated health risks of
consuming them. The leaves and young stems of 12 wild edible plants, viz: Acalypha
rhomboidea, Asystacia gangetica, Crassocephalum sacrobasis, Crotalaria ochroleuca,
Heterotis rotundifolia, Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus sp., Hibiscus surattensis, Ipomoea
eriocarpa, Maerua angolensis, Senna obtusifolia and Vigna membranacea were air-dried and
crushed to powder. The powders were then macerated using aqua regia solution and analysed
in triplicates using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The target hazard quotient (THQ) of Pb was calculated for non-carcinogenic health risks. Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Zn
and Pb were detectable in all the wild edible plants sampled. All inorganic nutrients
(mg/100gdw), were below the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA); Mg (9.4±0.19 to
10.4±0.15), Ca (119±5.82 to 1265±14.9), Fe (3.29±0.02 to 11.2±0.09), Zn (0.52±0.02
to2.36±0.03). Hg and Cd were below detectable limits in all the samples tested. The content
of Pb (0.69±0.11 to1.22±0.07) was higher than the CODEX and EU limits of 0.1ppm but was
below the recommended threshold of 1. The health risk assessment revealed no potential
hazards both in children and adults. However, there is a need to study the bioavailability of
Pb when the vegetables are consumed due to factors such as indigestion and antinutritional
compounds.
Description
Keywords
Inorganic nutrients, Heavy metals, Target Hazard Quotient, Food safety, Wild 38 edible plants, Acholi sub-region
Citation
Nyero, A., Anywar, G., & Malinga, G. M. Inorganic Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Some Wild Edible Plants Consumed by Rural Communities in Northern Uganda: Implications for Human Health. Available at SSRN 4207724.