Analysis of heavy metals in citrus juice from the Abura-Asebu Kwamankese District, Ghana

Abstract

The levels of some heavy metals in lime, lemon and orange fruit juice from the Abura-Asebu Kwamankese District of the Central Region of Ghana were determined. Samples were randomly collected from selected farms in the district. The samples were digested with HCl and HNO3 mixture (aqua regia) and H2O2 and analysed for AS, Pb, Cr, Ni, Fe, Zn and Cu using Inductive Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer. Fe, Zn, and Pb were found in all the samples with mean concentrations respectively 1.2065, 2.401×10 -1 and 2.92×10 -and As were found in the lime only with concentrations 4.313×10 -3 and 1.092×10 -3 respectively. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples analysed. The concentrations of the metals found in all the three fruits were far lower than those Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients levels recommended in the United Kingdom and by the US EPA