Exposure assessment of heavy metal residues in some Egyptian fruits.
Toxicol Rep 2019;
6:538-543. [PMID:
31249787 PMCID:
PMC6584767 DOI:
10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.06.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Heavy metals Cu, and Ni were present in all fruit samples obtained from Egyptian governorates.
Washing of grapes and peeling of orange samples greatly reduced the level of Cu and Ni.
Estimated daily intake of the fruit samples were considered higher than that of the tolerable daily intake.
Heavy metals are considered a main public health hazards, they are known to accumulate in fruits, which are heavily consumed by humans because of their unique sweet taste and potential health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the possible contamination levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in some selected fruits obtained from four Egyptian governorates and to compare the contamination levels with those of the recommended permissible limits. Results revealed that Pb and Cd were absent in all fruit samples, while Cr was only detected in grapes obtained from Cairo and Fayoum governorates and exceeded the maximum permissible limit (0.10 mg kg−1). Nickel and Cu were detected in all fruit samples. Nickel was reduced more than copper after washing process of grapes especially in samples obtained from Alexandria and Giza governorates. After peeling process, Cu was extremely reduced in orange samples obtained from the following governorates in descending order Cairo, Alexandria, El-Fayoum and Giza. Estimated daily intake of heavy metals in fruit samples were found to be higher than that of the tolerable daily intake, indicating potential risk to human health. Therefore, to decrease the risk to human health, fruits must be washed well before eating to decrease heavy metal concentrations.
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