Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.

Leafy vegetables may contain heavy metals that possess negative impacts on human health. However, no structured monitoring has been available so far in terms of the heavy metal content of vegetables sold in markets across the country. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate heavy metals concent...

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Main Authors: Sian, Nee See, Pak Dek, Mohd Sabri, Sanny, Maimunah, Shukri, Radhiah, Ramli, Nurul Shazini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia 2025
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/1/120953.pdf
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author Sian, Nee See
Pak Dek, Mohd Sabri
Sanny, Maimunah
Shukri, Radhiah
Ramli, Nurul Shazini
author_facet Sian, Nee See
Pak Dek, Mohd Sabri
Sanny, Maimunah
Shukri, Radhiah
Ramli, Nurul Shazini
author_sort Sian, Nee See
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Leafy vegetables may contain heavy metals that possess negative impacts on human health. However, no structured monitoring has been available so far in terms of the heavy metal content of vegetables sold in markets across the country. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate heavy metals concentration [aluminium (Al), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and lead (Pb)] in selected leafy vegetables (Brassica oleracea subsp. capitata L., Brassica juncea Czern., Spinacia oleracea L., and Brassica rapa var. chinensis) from Selangor wholesale wet markets using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Potential health risks linked to their consumption were assessed by estimating daily intake of toxic metals (EDI) and calculating both cancer and non-cancer risks, including hazard index and target hazard quotient (THQ). Results showed that the average concentrations of Al and Fe in vegetable samples were within the permissible limits, with the greatest amount of Al found in spinach (41.37 mg/kg). The mean levels of Fe in cabbage, mustard, spinach, and pak choi were 6.30 ± 5.78, 4.12 ± 1.84, 13.59 ± 4.73, and 4.14 ± 0.31 mg/kg, respectively. However, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb were undetected in all samples. THQ values derived from the EDI of heavy metals were discovered to be less than one, suggesting a low likelihood of adverse health effects. In conclusion, although leafy vegetables present negligible health risks, consumers should vary their vegetable intake to prevent long-term health effects.
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spelling upm-1209532025-10-16T07:53:59Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/ Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia. Sian, Nee See Pak Dek, Mohd Sabri Sanny, Maimunah Shukri, Radhiah Ramli, Nurul Shazini Leafy vegetables may contain heavy metals that possess negative impacts on human health. However, no structured monitoring has been available so far in terms of the heavy metal content of vegetables sold in markets across the country. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate heavy metals concentration [aluminium (Al), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and lead (Pb)] in selected leafy vegetables (Brassica oleracea subsp. capitata L., Brassica juncea Czern., Spinacia oleracea L., and Brassica rapa var. chinensis) from Selangor wholesale wet markets using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Potential health risks linked to their consumption were assessed by estimating daily intake of toxic metals (EDI) and calculating both cancer and non-cancer risks, including hazard index and target hazard quotient (THQ). Results showed that the average concentrations of Al and Fe in vegetable samples were within the permissible limits, with the greatest amount of Al found in spinach (41.37 mg/kg). The mean levels of Fe in cabbage, mustard, spinach, and pak choi were 6.30 ± 5.78, 4.12 ± 1.84, 13.59 ± 4.73, and 4.14 ± 0.31 mg/kg, respectively. However, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb were undetected in all samples. THQ values derived from the EDI of heavy metals were discovered to be less than one, suggesting a low likelihood of adverse health effects. In conclusion, although leafy vegetables present negligible health risks, consumers should vary their vegetable intake to prevent long-term health effects. Universiti Putra Malaysia 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_nd_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/1/120953.pdf Sian, Nee See and Pak Dek, Mohd Sabri and Sanny, Maimunah and Shukri, Radhiah and Ramli, Nurul Shazini (2025) Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, 48 (1). pp. 215-236. ISSN 1511-3701; eISSN: 2231-8542 http://pertanika2.upm.edu.my/pjtas/browse/regular-issue?article=JTAS-3108-2024 10.47836/pjtas.48.1.12
spellingShingle Sian, Nee See
Pak Dek, Mohd Sabri
Sanny, Maimunah
Shukri, Radhiah
Ramli, Nurul Shazini
Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.
title Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.
title_full Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.
title_fullStr Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.
title_full_unstemmed Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.
title_short Heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from Selangor, Malaysia.
title_sort heavy metals assessment in selected leafy vegetables from selangor, malaysia.
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120953/1/120953.pdf