Analysis On Some Essential And Non -Essential Metals In Three Pepper Varitiey Grown In Takussa Woreda, Central Gondar, Ethiopia

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