Abstract
The primary source of cadmium in cocoa beans has been linked to its direct uptake by the cacao plant from cadmium contaminated soils. This research was conducted to evaluate and interpret significant relationships between cadmium levels in tissues of the cacao plant and soils from cocoa-growing areas in Trinidad and Tobago. Total (HNO3-extractable) concentrations of cadmium in both tissues and soils were determined. The levels of cadmium measured varied in the order: leaves > pods > shells > nibs > soil. Cadmium levels in all the cacao tissues analyzed were significantly (p < 0.05), positively and strongly correlated with each other. Additionally, significant (p < 0.05) positive relationships were also identified between Cd in cacao tissues and corresponding total HNO3-extractable Cd levels in soils. These findings suggest that they can possibly be used as predictive tools for assessing Cd levels in cacao.
Highlights
Contamination of soils with heavy metals is an increasing problem globally and a threat to environmental biota, How to cite this paper: Ramtahal, G., Yen, I.C., Bekele, I., Bekele, F., Wilson, L., Maharaj, K. and Harrynanan, L. (2016) Relationships between Cadmium in Tissues of Cacao Trees and Soils in Plantations of Trinidad and Tobago
This trend is consistent with some previous reports of differing Cd levels among organs or tissues in the same plant [16] [17] [33], but differs from those reported for Ecuadorean cacao [30], possibly because of differences in germplasm [34]
This study demonstrated that strong and significant correlations exist between Cd levels in cacao tissues over a wide range of cacao cultivars
Summary
Contamination of soils with heavy metals is an increasing problem globally and a threat to environmental biota, How to cite this paper: Ramtahal, G., Yen, I.C., Bekele, I., Bekele, F., Wilson, L., Maharaj, K. and Harrynanan, L. (2016) Relationships between Cadmium in Tissues of Cacao Trees and Soils in Plantations of Trinidad and Tobago. Contamination of soils with heavy metals is an increasing problem globally and a threat to environmental biota, How to cite this paper: Ramtahal, G., Yen, I.C., Bekele, I., Bekele, F., Wilson, L., Maharaj, K. and Harrynanan, L. (2016) Relationships between Cadmium in Tissues of Cacao Trees and Soils in Plantations of Trinidad and Tobago. Some metals, including copper, zinc and nickel, are considered essential micronutrients [3]; when present in excess, these essential and non-essential heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), can accumulate to toxic levels in the tissues of plants used for human or animal nutrition [4]. Its toxicity can present significant health risks if Cd-contaminated foodstuffs are consumed [6] [7]. Cd causes renal damage [9], severe loss of bone minerals and painful fractures [10]
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