Bio-concentration of fluoride in Lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) grown in contaminated alkaline soil and evaluation of exposure risk in human

Abstract

A pot culture study was conducted to evaluate the bio-accumulation of fluoride (F) in terms of bio-concentration factor (BCF) in Lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) when grown in sodium F (NaF) contaminated alkaline soil. Toxicological exposure risk on humans in terms of estimated daily intake was assessed. It was found that the maximal F accumulation took place in roots (16.64–106.2 mg kg−1), whereas in the edible part (fruit), it varied between 39.3 to 48.51 mg kg−1 in the treatment range of 0–600 mg NaF kg−1 soil. The order of F accumulation in plant tissues followed root > leaf > fruit > shoot. The BCF values in the fruit showed a decreasing trend (6.74–5.17 mg .plant mg−1 soil), whereas in root, it increased (6.69–12.27 mg of plant per mg soil) with the rise in added F (100 mg F per kg soil to 600 mg F per kg soil). The risk of F exposure due to the consumption of fruit was estimated for an adult (18–70 years), which were found to be 0.001 mg kg−1 day−1 at the minimum F concentration of 39.3 mg kg−1 (dwt.) and 0.0013 mg kg−1 day−1 at the maximum F concentration of 48.51 mg kg−1 (dwt.) of fruit.