EVALUATION OF THE CONTENTS OF SOME CHEMICAL PARAMETERS ON THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF Ipomoea batatas (SWEET POTATO) AND Zea mays (CORN) GROWN IN THE WETLANDS OF KAMBO AND LONGMAYAGUI RIVERS (DOUALA)

Toxic metals have a polluting with toxic to living organisms even at low concentrations. The overall objective of the study is to determine the impact of some pollutants on the nutritional quality of corn (Zea mays) and potato (Ipomoea batatas) grown mainly in wetlands of Kambo and Longmayagui rivers. Nitrates, phosphates, cadmium and lead were measured in water and in different corn and potato organs grown in the swampy fields Yassa and Arir with 3 repetitions, respectively. The results obtained show that plants produce fields have chlorosis and necrosis and a yellowing of the leaves. Potato tubers rot and show clearly are not consumables. Ears of corn obtained are big but have some spaced seeds. The cadmium content is high in corn seeds 0.10 ± 0.02 mg/kg dry matter and corn tuber 0.08 ± 0.09 mg/kg of dry matter. This content is greater than the tolerance in humans from 0.005 mg/kg dry matter. The lead content is high in the potato tuber 35.00 ± 0.03 mg/kg dry matter and corn 17.00 ± 0.00 mg/kg dry matter. These lead levels are high the threshold of tolerance in different organs of these plants to the standard of 0.05 mg/kg of dry matter. The nitrate and phosphate are higher in potato roots and corn stalks in relation to other organs. The finding of very advanced level of degradation of wetlands Douala directly affecting the nutritional quality of crops shows that it would be desirable that people and governments aware of the pollution on health over the poor quality of products consumer cultures of these lowlands.