title: Nutritional evaluation, bioaccumulation and toxicological assessment of heavy metals in edible fruits of FicussurForssk (Moraceae).
abstract: Ficussur (Moraceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant with a wide distribution in Africa. In this study, the nutritional potential fruit of this indigenous plant to meet domestic food demands and reduce food insecurity in KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa, was investigated. The proximate composition and concentrations of metals in the edible fruits collected from eight different sites in KwaZulu-Natal were determined to assess for nutritional value and the concentrations of metals in the growth soil was determined to evaluate the impact of soil quality on elemental uptake. The fruits contained high levels of moisture (88.8%) and carbohydrates (65.6%). The concentrations of elements in the fruits were found to be in decreasing order of Ca>Mg >Fe >Zn>Cu >Mn> Se with low levels of toxic metals (As, Cd, Co and Pb). This study shows that the consumption of the fruits of F. sur can contribute positively to the nutritional needs of rural communities in South Africa for most essential nutrients without posing the risk of adverse health effects.
authors.affiliation: a School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa.
authors.forename: Olumuyiwa O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Ogunlaja
authors.affiliation: a School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa.
authors.forename: Roshila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moodley
authors.affiliation: b School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa.
authors.forename: Himansu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baijnath
authors.affiliation: a School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa.
authors.forename: Sreekantha B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jonnalagadda
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D029586:Moraceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Elemental distribution; nutrition; soil quality; toxicity