Abstract:
Hot pepper has been cultivated in Ethiopia for long period of time. Currently, it is
produced in many parts of the country. The concentrations of essential metals (Ca, Mg,
Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential metals (Cd and Pb) in Takussa pepper samples
were analyzed. Metals in pepper samples were determined using wet digestion method
followed by Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The pepper samples were collected
from Takussa, Central Gondar zone. In this study, metals Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd
and Pb were determined in the three pepper variety samples (Mareko Fana, Mareko Shote
and Melka Azala). The metal concentrations in the samples were found to be 121.8 –
260.92 mg/Kg, 663.2 - 792.76 mg/Kg, 54.5 - 216.1 mg/Kg, 31.1- 48.89 mg/Kg, 51.5-
83.3 mg/Kg, and 56.14- 228.1 mg/Kg for calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and
manganese respectively in the three pepper variety samples in the three Kebeles. Cd and
Pd metals were not detected (below method of detection limit) in pepper samples.
The concentrations of metals in Takussa pepper were comparable to values reported in
literature from different parts of the world
