Determination of Bioaccumulation and Benefit–risk ratio of apple intake: A case study of Salooni, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Arti Maheshwari; Vikas Jasrotia

Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2015

Determination of Bioaccumulation and Benefit–risk ratio of apple intake: A case study of Salooni, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Arti Maheshwari, Vikas Jasrotia

Abstract :

This research was conducted to investigate the metal contamination in soil and three variety of apple i.e. Red, Royal and Golden, and also to evaluate the possible health risks to local population through food chain transfer in Salooni distt. Chamba (Himachal Pradesh). Contamination level of 9 heavy metals (Pb, Hg, As, Cd, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe and Cu) and 4 essential metals (K, Ca, Na and Mg) in soils and three variety of apple (Red, Royal and Golden) were measured. Results showed that in all the variety (red, royal and golden) of apple Pb concentration was found above the permissible limits of WHO/FAO whereas the concentration of Cd was found higher the permissible limits in royal apple. As found, HI is not higher than 1 in any sample so in general apple intake is not potentially hazardous for human health. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) from soils to vegetable plants and its total health quotient (THQ) were calculated accordingly. Our study also showed that different apple plant may have the potential for phytoremediation for different metals.