Original Articles: 2011 Vol: 3 Issue: 2
Analysis of heavy metals in citrus juice from the Abura-Asebu- Kwamankese District, Ghana
Abstract
The levels of some heavy metals in lime, lemon and orange fruit juice from the Abura-Asebu-
Kwamankese District of the Central Region of Ghana were determined. Samples were randomly
collected from selected farms in the district. The samples were digested with HCl and HNO3
mixture (aqua regia) and H2O2 and analysed for AS, Pb, Cr, Ni, Fe, Zn and Cu using Inductive
Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer. Fe, Zn, and Pb were found in all
the samples with mean concentrations respectively 1.2065, 2.401×10-1 and 2.92×10-2 ppm. Cu
and As were found in the lime only with concentrations 4.313×10-3 and 1.092×10-3 ppm
respectively. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples analysed. The concentrations of
the metals found in all the three fruits were far lower than those Dietary reference values for
food energy and nutrients levels recommended in the United Kingdom and by the US EPA.