Assessing Trace Elements in Market Fruits Using Advanced Detection Methods

Jenn Hoskins
6th August, 2024

Assessing Trace Elements in Market Fruits Using Advanced Detection Methods

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Tehran University of Medical Sciences analyzed 19 trace elements in commonly consumed Iranian fruits
  • Aluminum was the most abundant element found, while vanadium was the least, and mercury and antimony were not detected
  • The study found higher concentrations of trace elements in the peels compared to the pulps of the fruits
  • Health risk assessments indicated no significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks from consuming these fruits
The study conducted by Tehran University of Medical Sciences[1] investigated the presence of 19 trace elements in various commonly consumed Iranian fruits, analyzing both their peels and pulps using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). This research is significant as it provides crucial data on the concentration of trace elements, which can have implications for human health. The highest average detected element across all fruit samples was aluminum (Al) at 1842.18 ppm, while vanadium (V) was the lowest at 0.28 ppm. Interestingly, mercury (Hg) and antimony (Sb) were not detected in any of the samples. The study found that the maximum mean concentration of elements varied among different fruits. For instance, iron (Fe) was predominant in quince (2048.32 ppm) and tangerine (974.93 ppm), while zinc (Zn) was highest in grapefruit (753.45 ppm) and orange south (717.78 ppm). In the case of kiwi, aluminum (Al) was the most abundant element (9794.41 ppm). The distribution of elements between the peel and pulp of the fruits was also examined. For example, kiwi peel had significantly higher aluminum (17967.79 ppm) compared to its pulp (1621.03 ppm). Similarly, the peel of the orange North variety had more iron (1350.01 ppm) than its pulp (1457.66 ppm). These findings are consistent with previous research indicating that the peel of citrus fruits generally contains higher concentrations of various compounds compared to the pulp[2]. Moreover, the study assessed the potential health risks associated with the consumption of these fruits by calculating the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). The results indicated that there is no significant non-carcinogenic risk (THQ < 1) or carcinogenic risk (ILCR < 1E-4) for both adults and children. This is a crucial finding as it suggests that the consumption of these fruits does not pose a significant health risk in terms of trace element exposure. This research builds on earlier studies that have highlighted the health risks associated with heavy metals and other toxicants in the environment. For instance, heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have been shown to pose serious threats to human health and agricultural ecosystems[3]. Additionally, heavy metals have been implicated in various pathologies, including cancer[4]. However, the current study provides reassuring evidence that the levels of trace elements in these Iranian fruits are within safe limits, thus not contributing significantly to these risks. In summary, the study from Tehran University of Medical Sciences offers valuable insights into the trace element content of commonly consumed Iranian fruits. The findings indicate that while certain elements are present in higher concentrations in the peel compared to the pulp, the overall exposure levels do not pose significant health risks. This research not only contributes to our understanding of dietary exposure to trace elements but also aligns with previous findings on the safety and nutritional value of fruit consumption.

FruitsHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Determination of trace elements content of fruits from Tehran's market using ICP- OES method: a risk assessment study.

Published 5th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12972-w

Related Studies

2) Bioactive Substances, Heavy Metals, and Antioxidant Activity in Whole Fruit, Peel, and Pulp of Citrus Fruits.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6662259

3) Heavy Metals and Pesticides Toxicity in Agricultural Soil and Plants: Ecological Risks and Human Health Implications.

https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9030042

4) Heavy metals in biological samples of cancer patients: a systematic literature review.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-024-00583-4


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