Evaluation of some pollutant levels in bitter orange trees: implications for human health.
Samples of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) fruits (epicarp and mesocarp), leaves and its fruit marmalade from sites in Seville (Andalucia, Spain) with different levels of traffic were analysed for Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations by ICP/AES. Comparative values are given from a background area. The effect of washing on metal content in epicarp and leaves was investigated. Results revealed that Ba, Fe and Mn accumulated in leaves > epicarp > mesocarp, Cu and Ni in leaves > epicarp congruent withmesocarp and Zn leaves > mesocarp > epicarp. Washing had no significant effect on epicarp metal content while it removes part of Cu, Fe and Zn deposited on leaves. Bitter orange fruits are used mainly to make marmalade; artificial contamination effects on fruit composition were investigated and the dietary intake of the elements was determined. The citrus fruits sprayed with metal solution showed a significant increase in the studied elements compared to untreated fruits. The levels of all elements studied were lower than provisional tolerable daily intake values indicating that bitter orange marmalade consumption is safe for alimentary use.
Bitter orange tree exhibit differences in metal content between fruits and leaves and fruits are safe for consumption.
Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Seville, Avda. Reina Mercedes s/n, Apto de Correo 1095, 41080 Sevilla, Spain. sabina@us.es
Sabina Rossini
SR
Oliva
Benito
B
Valdés
Maria Dolores
MD
Mingorance
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D002957:Citrus / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating; D005504:Food Analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy