Determination of lead levels in ampalaya grown in different soil environments and monitoring of lead concentration in commercial food supplements and tea

Date

5-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Josefina L. Solivas

Committee Member

Veronica P. Migo, Nieva T. Librojo-Basilio

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Abstract

The distribution and availability of Pb to plants is important when assessing the environmental quality of an area used for agricultural purposes. In this study, the concentration of Pb was analyzed in ampalaya (Momordica charantia) vegetable crop plant, its parts (roots and leaves) and the soil where it was planted. Soils collected from an agricultural field (Central Experiment Station, UPLB), dumpsite soil (San Pedro, Laguna), and urban soil (San Pedro, Laguna) placed in plastic bins were planted with amplaya. The Pb in the soil (through dilute acid extraction) was found to be 9.44±0.13 μg/g for agricultural soil; 32.65±5.77 μg/g for dumpsite soil; and 15.11±0.95 μg/g for urban soil. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) for plants grown in agricultural soil was 0.43±0.08; for dumpsite soil was 0.43±0.11; and for urban soil was 0.56±0.02. The translocation factor (TF) was calculated for assessment of the mobility of Pb from soil to various plant parts, i.e. roots to leaves. The TF value for plant grown in agricultural soil was 1.56±0.25; for dumpsite soil was 0.77±0.13; and for urban soil was 0.77±0.06. The data on accumulation and mobility of Pb from soil to leaves through roots suggested that Pb was highly mobile. The concentration of Pb did not reach toxic levels set by the DENR which is 90-300μg/g. The relationship between Pb concentration and physico-chemical analysis of soil showed that the Pb concentration available for plant uptake may be related to some soil characteristics. Higher Pb available at lower soil pH; higher Pb in soil with higher organic matter but lower availability to the ampalaya plant. Pb concentration was not related to exchange acidity and cation exchange capacity. The study suggests that if the present trend of deposition of Pb from dumpsite land and urban atmosphere continues, this might have deleterious effects on ampalaya production and might cause increased dietary intake of Pb from ampalaya crops and ampalaya based products. Ampalaya based commercial food supplements and tea were monitored for Pb content. The Pb content was determined for food supplement: 12.95±0.60 μg/g for Charantia and 4.91±0.20 μg/g for Ampalaya Plus; and tea: 10.58±0.20 μg/g for Charantia Tea and 11.03±1.30 μg/g for Ampalaya Plus. Based on the results, the concentration of Pb did not exceed the 20 μg/g which is the maximum amount designated by BFAD for plant-based supplements. Proximate analysis of ampalaya leaves, seeds, food supplement capsules, and tea was determined. The %crude fat, %crude fiber, %crude protein, %ash, and %moisture were reported and compared for these samples.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2010 C42 C371

Document Type

Thesis

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