Essential (Cu and Zn) and trace (Pb and Cd) heavy metal loads in onion and potato

Abstract

Heavy metals are one of many pollutants that can be found on the surface and in tissue of fresh vegetables. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to assess and analyse concentrations of essential (Cu and Zn) and trace (Pb and Cd) heavy metals in onion (Allium cepa L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) produced in Vojvodina. The concentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd was determined in edible plant parts, onion bulbs and potato tubers by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In only two samples of onion and four samples of potato, the concentration of Cd was above the limit set by regulations of the Republic of Serbia.