The heavy metals or trace elements play an important role in the metabolic pathways during the
growth and development of plants, when available in required concentration. The heavy metal concentration of
Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) was analyzed using
Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyzer (ICPA) (Perkin-Elmer ICP Optima 3300 RL, USA) in 21 vegetables collected
from Vegetable Market of Anand town, Gujarat. The vegetables are Lady’s Finger (
Abelmoschus esculentus
), Onion
(
Alium sepa
), Cauliflower (
Brassica oleracea var.
botrytis
), Beat (
Brassica oleracea
), Chilli (
Capsicum annum
),
Tindora (
Coccinia indica
), Pattarveli (
Colocasia
sp.), Coriander (
Coriandrum sativum
), Cucumber (
Cucumis sativus
),
Turmeric (
Curcuma longa
), Vetches/Gavar (
Cyamopsis soralioides
), Bean Pods (
Dolichos lablab
), Carrot (
Ductus carrotus
), Ginger (
Gingiber officinalis
), Sweet Potato (
Ipomoea batatas
), Bottle Gourd (
Lagernaria vulgaris
), Tomato
(
Lycopersicum esculentum
), Bitter Gourd (
Momordica charantia
), Drumstick (
Moringa oleifera
), Brinjal (
Solanum melongena
) and Parwar (
Trichosanthes dioicea
). The high concentration of Cd was found in Onion, Coriander and
Cauliflower, while Co and Cu content was recorded high in Cauliflower and Bottle Gourd. On the other hand, high
content of Fe was observed in Cauliflower and Cucumber. Vetches and Lady’s Finger had shown high concentration of
Ni. Cauliflower and Onion showed high amount of Pb. On the other hand, Cucumber and Cauliflower registered
maximum content of Zn. The heavy metal concentration in vegetables was within the prescribed safety limits except Fe
owing to iron-rich soil of the area. The distribution and characterization of heavy metals in vegetables was studied in
detail and discussed in this paper.
