Trends1114 in Biosciences 11(7), Print : ISSN 0974-8431,Trends 1114-1117, in Biosciences 2018 11 (7), 2018 Assessment of Lead Contamination in Common Tubers collected from Local Markets of Thrissur District, Kerala, India M.V. LAKSHMI1 AND NEETHU GOPALAKRISHNAN2 St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur *email :
[email protected] ABSTRACT Tubers play a significant role in the human diet The present study was carried out in eight different local and they are the global sources of carbohydrates. markets of Thrissur District (Thrissur, Cherpu, Tubers are richest sources of a number of compounds Kunnamkulam,Irinjalakuda, Chalakudy, Valapad, such as phenolic compounds, saponins, phytic acids, Kodungallur, Guruvayur) to check the concentration of glycoalkaloids and carotenoids. Potatoes and yams are Lead in tubers (Potato, Tapioca and Yam). The tubers were tubers whereas cassava and sweet potatoes are also collected from farmers and Home gardens. All the storage roots. A number of species and varieties are collected samples were shade dried, powdered and digested. The concentration of Lead was found out using AAS consumed but cassava, potatoes and sweet potatoes (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). Lead is a highly consist of 90% global production of root and tuber toxic metal which causes serious threats on renal, crops (Chandrasekara and Josheph Kumar, 2016). reproductive and nervous system. Exposure to Lead may The present study shows the information on the lead to severe diseases in humans and animals. It concentration of Lead in some selected tubers sold in accumulates in environment with increasing hazards due to its non-biodegradable nature. Tapioca had significant different markets of Thrissur district.