Abstract
Presence of heavy metal and bacterial pathogen in randomly collected samples of green leafy from various stations of Bengaluru city was detected. Heavy metals (cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, chromium, nickel and lead) were analyzed by tri-acid digestion method. The presence of heavy metals in general was in the order of Cd>Zn>Cu>Fe>Cr>Pb. Trace metal concentration in all green leafy vegetables of stations 1-5 were within permissible limit and it has been exceeded in station 6-10. This indicated high levels of soil contamination pose potential danger for the vegetables grown in the vicinity of Arakere lake, Bannerghatta road, Gottigere lake, Naganaikanakere, Bommasandra lake, Hulimavu lake, Kelaginakere and Amblipura lake. The total bacteria and coliforms were enumerated on TSA (Tryptone Soya Agar) and VRBA (Violet Red Bile Agar) media respectively. The total bacterial count in randomly collected samples of coriander ranged from 296 cfu/g to 8 cfu/g, in palak from 16 cfu/g to 0.9 cfu/g, whereas in case of cabbage was 104 cfu/g to 0.9 cfu/g which is an indication of improper pre-harvest and post harvest handling.
Highlights
Human alteration of earth is substantial and growing
Green leafy vegetables are popular around the world
The vegetables [Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) palak and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) cabbage (Brassica oleracea)] were analysed for the heavy metals cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, chromium, nickel and lead and the total bacteria and coliforms were enumerated on TSA and VRBA media respectively
Summary
Human alteration of earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the industrial revolution, more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use byS553 humanity and about one-quarter of the bird species on earth have been driven to extinction. Collection of leafy vegetable samples in triplicates were, from the agricultural production sites in the vicinity of the lakes in Bangalore.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
