American Academic Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences
Abstract
People of Zanzibar are perpetual users of tomatoes. Different varieties of tomatoes are regularly consumed in day-to-day meals in Zanzibar. These fruits are farmed under different settings varying from purely organic mode to extensive use of agrochemicals. It is well known that the use of agrochemicals may give rise to heavy metals contaminations with significant health impacts to consumers. The use of fertilizers and pesticides in some areas during cultivation may bring about individuals to eat tomatoes together with harmful heavy metals. However, no study has been done to find the quantity of heavy metals entered in consumers’ bodies. The objective of this study was to quantify heavy metals present in breast milk of individual tomato consumers. The methodology used was sampling, processing, digestion and analysis. The instrument used for analysis was Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Samples were collected, digested with HNO3 and H2O2 in a semi–closed glass digestion apparatus. After cooling, volume was adjusted to 25 ml with distilled water and analyzed by AAS. Zinc detected by AA spectrometer ranged from 231 μg/l to 1466 μg/l of milk, with average of 900±457 μg/l. Cadmium ranged from 24.1 μg/l to 35.9 μg/l with average of 31.1±3.46 μg/l. Lead ranged from 32.4 to 1630 μg/l with average of 707±582 μg/l. The concentration of Al metal, which was detected in only one sample, was 0.91 μg/l. The results show that breast milk contains heavy metals contaminants necessary to be removed before infant feeding
