Analysis of metal contents in spinach, lettuce, and parsley marketed in Marmara Region.

Green leafy vegetables are the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium), vitamins (K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins), and phytonutrients (beta?carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) which protect our cells from damage and age?related problems. They are also rich in fiber, extremely low in fat and carbohydrates and provide an excellent source of protein. Pollution is caused by misuse of the soil; such as poor agricultural practices, mining and disposal of industrial and urban wastes. Furthermore, soil pollution is mainly a result of chemicals in herbicides defined as killers of harmful plants, and pesticides defined as poisons for insects [1]. As a result, the accumulation of heavy metals leads to contamination of the food chain, because vegetables absorb heavy metals from the soil and polluted air and water. In general, heavy metals are not biodegradable and therefore can accumulate in human vital organs. The contamination of heavy metals constitutes a concern for human health for the capacity to enter in the food chain. Vegetables are vital for human?s diet and in particular provide the wellknown heavy metals. To investigate the possible risks for the population due to the chronic exposure to heavy metal contamination of three different vegetables, this study has focused on the mineral and heavy metal contens in spinach, lettuce, and parsley. In 2013; spinach, lettuce, and parsley samples were collected in Marmara Region for a total of 54 samples and sampling areas were represented by population. Inductively coupled plasma?mass spectrometry (ICP?MS) measurements were made after microwave digestion and the metal contents (Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb) of samples were determined. Each samples analyzed as two parallels and three replicates and the average values of these analysis were reported. Among the metal contents analysed by ICP?MS after microwave assisted digestion; the presence of heavy metals in general was in the order of Cu>Pb>Cd>As>Sn>Hg. The results showed that average values of Cu, Pb, Cd, As, and Sn concentrations were highest (p<0,05) in spinach samples. According to the analysis; the highest amounts of Cu, Pb, and Cd content were found in spinach samples collected from Tekirdağ (5,1 ±0,3 mg/kg), Edirne (0,106 ±0,007 mg/kg), and Tekirdağ (0,080 ±0,004 mg/kg), respectively.