Metals content in spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) growing wild at domestic waste open burning site

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the metal concentrations in several parts of spiny amaranth that grow wild at open burning areas of domestic waste at Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia. Spiny amaranth parts such as roots, stems, leaves and flowers used as samples for three replications per part. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) digestion method for metal determination was used to detect the metals content such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). Overall, shoots contain the highest Fe, Cu, As and Pb compared to other parts. The results also showed the metals concentration slowly decreased from shoots to flowers except for Mn, Pb and Zn. This showed the accumulation of metals for each part is different. However, the contents of all metals from this study is below the maximum permitted and recommended daily serving standards set forth in the Fourteenth Schedule, Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 except for As.