Determination of heavy metals and c vitamin in allium plants (garlic and onion)

Analyses of plants render important information in toxicological and environmental investigations since plants are a very significant link in the trophic chain. The aim of this study was to analyze quantitatively the distribution of heavy metals and ascorbic acid in Allium plants: Allium sativum L. (garlic) and Allium cepa L. (onion). Heavy metals accumulation in garlic and onion was quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after the chemical mineralization of the samples with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a Digesthal device. To determinate of vitamin C we used a titrimetric method with potassium brommat-bromide solution in acid medium, when vitamin C is oxidized to dehidroascorbic acid by bromine. Our results indicate a high concentration of vitamin C in leaves of the studied Allium plants.