Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part B Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes
School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Moodley, R., School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Koorbanally, N., School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Jonnalagadda, S.B., School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Harpephyllum caffrum is a medicinal plant and common street tree distributed throughout the eastern part of South Africa. The elemental concentration in the edible fruit of H. caffrum was determined to assess for nutritional value and health impact. Concentrations of metals in the fruit and growth soil were determined from samples acquired from eight different sites in eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to evaluate the impact of soil parameters on elemental distribution in the fruit. Typical elemental concentrations (μg g-1, dry mass) in soil (Exchangeable/Total) and fruit samples, at Umhlanga, north of Durban, were Ca (1221/696 and 3333), Co (2.5/2.1 and 0.16), Cr (35/0.8 and 5.8), Cu (14/9 and 21), Fe (9424/394 and 116), Mg (199/139 and 915), Mn (268/187 and 13), Ni (2.8/0.51 and 3.4), Pb (36/32 and 1.2), and Zn (26/21 and 15). The analytical results showed that metal interactions in soil influenced their availability, but uptake was to a greater extent controlled by the plant. The concentrations of elements in the fruits were found to be in the order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co. The concentrations of toxic metals, arsenic and lead were low. The fruits can contribute to the health and nutritional needs of individuals for most elements. It has potential to improve the Fe status and contribute towards a balanced diet. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Edible fruits; Elemental distribution; Harpephyllum caffrum; Nutritional value; Soil quality; Toxic metals; Calcium; Copper; Fruits; Lead; Manganese; Metals; Nickel; Soils; Zinc; Magnesium; metal; arsenic; concentration (composition); diet; fruit; growth; health impact; lead; medicinal plant; soil quality; toxic substance; Anacardiaceae; article; chemistry; food contamination; fruit; nutritional value; soil; soil pollutant; Anacardiaceae; Food Contamination; Fruit; Metals; Nutritive Value; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Durban; KwaZulu-Natal; South Africa; Harpephyllum caffrum
