METAL CONCENTRATION IN CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUM L.) IN SINDH, PAKISTAN

A comparative study was carried out to assess the effect on heavy metal concentration in fruits of major variety of Dandicut chilli (Capsicum annum L.) between field and market samples. Field samples were collected from Kunri city while markets of Noor helepoto, M.H Chandio and Siddiq kapri were analyzed for heavy metal contamination. In Farmer’s field Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contents (mean ±SD) were found to be  0.029 ± 0.003, 0.061 ± 0.005, 20.196 ± 1.094, 10.156 ± 0.812, 111.01 ± 7.206 and 30.766 ± 1.872 µg g-1 while samples from local market showed 0.030 ± 0.0292, 0.089 ± 0.002, 19.071 ± 1.906, 12.261 ± 1.292, 126.84 ± 1.829 and 32.791 ± 1.828 µg g-1 respectively. Cadmium and Lead contents in all samples were within the permissible limits by W.H.O/F.A.O standard. The order of accumulation of metals in both sampling location was found to be Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu >  Pb > Cd.