Abstract
Potentially toxic elements are persistent in the environment and plants have the ability to absorb and transfer them from soil in edible parts. The objectives of this study were to characterize the distribution of Cd and Pb in quinoa tissues and to investigate their accumulation and transfer from irrigated water in edible parts of quinoa. For the purpose of this study experiment and simulated pollution in the form of different metal concentration in water that was used for irrigation was designed. Distribution of metals in quinoa were determined and analyzed in seed formation and maturation stage. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors were calculated to characterize the efficiency of quinoa to absorb metals. The results of our study indicated that quinoa adopts potentially toxic metals from substrate but does not accumulate them. The potential of such a conclusion is useful for exploring the use of quinoa as lead and cadmium excluders.
Highlights
In numerous publications in recent decades, the term “heavy metals” is a group term for metals that are contaminants
Toxic elements (PTEs) are not susceptible to biodegradation, they are persistent in the environment and plants can absorb them from soil and accumulate them in edible parts
Potentially Toxic Element(s)” (PTEs) can enter into the food chain, creating a risk to human health [2,3]
Summary
In numerous publications in recent decades, the term “heavy metals” is a group term for metals that are contaminants. The toxicity of a substance can only be defined if the relationship between dose and effect is known. This relationship is a characteristic of each substance and it is necessary to know this relationship when determining whether a substance is toxic or not. The term “Potentially Toxic Element(s)” (PTEs) can include uniform and comparative use, and meanings on the basis of more reliable characterization [1]. Toxic elements (PTEs) are not susceptible to biodegradation, they are persistent in the environment and plants can absorb them from soil and accumulate them in edible parts. PTEs can enter into the food chain, creating a risk to human health [2,3]
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