Abstract:
Increasing interest in healthy
food among the population raises concerns
about heavy metals in fruit and their impact
on public health. To assess this issue, this
study presents a comparative analysis of
digestion methods for quantifying heavy
metals in plum orchards managed under
conventional and ecological practices in the
“Adamachi” Farm district of Iasi University
of Life Sciences (IULS). We evaluated and
optimised two wet digestion methods - in an
open system and microwave-assisted - to
determine the concentrations of heavy metals,
such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni),
lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), which pose
environmental and health risks. The metal
concentrations were measured using an
atomic absorption spectrophotometer,
according to standard methods. Microwaveassisted
digestion was more efficient and
faster than the conventional method (in an
open system). The ecologically managed
orchards showed a lower heavy metal content
overall, with the exception of Cu levels, due
to the Cu-based treatments. By determining
the estimated daily intake (EDI), target
hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI)
for both children and adults, the potential
health risks from heavy metals were
determined. There were no related associated
risks to human health (THQ and HI < 1), and
the accumulated metals in plum fruit samples
showed that the EDI values followed the
descending order of Cu > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd.
The analysis revealed non-significant
differences for most data obtained after
processing using the two methods. These
results highlight the importance of selecting
the optimal digestion methods for heavy
metal analysis in plums and sustainable
agricultural practices to safeguard the
environment and consumer health from heavy
metal contamination.
