Evaluation of Selected Metals Contents of Brassica oleraceae (Cabbage), Solanum tuberosum (Irish Potatoes) and Daucus carota (Carrot) Grown at Irrigation Farms of Jos, Nigeria

Aim: This study assessed levels of Cd, Pb, Fe, Zn and As in Brassica oleraceae (cabbage), Solanum tuberosum (Irish potatoes) and Daucus carota (carrot). Six samples were collected from each of the two irrigation farms. Samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Study Design: Six (6) samples of each vegetables, Brassica oleracea (cabbage), Solanum tuberosum (Irish potatoes) and Daucus carota (carrot) were obtained from irrigation farms situated at Lamingo and Russau. On each farm, 2 samples were collected thereby giving a total sample size of 36. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry Research Laboratory between February and April 2021. Methods: Turkey-Kramer multiple comparison tests in a one-way analysis of variance was used to analyse the data obtained. Results: Samples of cabbage from Russau showed mean values for Zn, Pb and Fe levels thus: 32.80±0.62, 0.27±0.02, and 20±0.06 respectively. Samples from Lamingo had mean levels of Zn, Pb and Fe thus: 23.30±0.26, 0.07±0.02, and 0.08±0.03 in that order. The concentrations of Pb, Zn were above standard values (P=0.05) but Fe was not significant. The machine did not detect arsenic (As). Samples of cabbage from Russau contained higher levels of all the metals than those from Lamingo. In Irish potatoes, samples from Lamingo had mean levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Fe as follows: 0.188±0.017, 0.36±0.037 16.105±4.16 and 0.082 respectively. The levels were significantly above (P=.05) standard values. In Carrots, levels of the metals in samples from Lamingo were 0.15±0.015, 0.14±0.015 and 0.88±0.018 respectively for Fe, Cd and Pb. Similarly, samples from Russau had 0.14±0.016, 0.20±0.022 and 1.04±0.031 respectively for Fe, Cd and Pb. Conclusion: Samples, especially those from Russau, contain zinc but they also contain cadmium, lead and iron which can predispose to their toxic effects.