Concentration of metals in locally grown and organic vegetables By: Stephani Lane & Aaron Pyle

Purpose •To determine metal concentration

differences between organic and locally grown vegetables for healthy dietary decisions.

Overview Our Experiment •Researched vegetables and metals to test•Determined expected amount of each

metal •Purchased vegetables from a local store •Blended vegetables •Made 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm

standards •Ran experiment on the ICP

Vegetables

Vegetables

Metals •Calcium •Lead•Magnesium •Manganese •Sodium

Metal Benefits •Ca- Strong bones, dental care, prevents

colon cancer, reduces obesity•Pb- none•Mg- prevent cardio vascular disease,

regulates blood pressure, muscle and nerve function

•Mn- forming bones and enzymes, helps absorb vitamins, healthy function of the brain

•Na- maintains fluid balance, maintains healthy heart, eliminates excess CO2

Metal Detriments •Ca- heighten blood pressure, risk of

cardio vascular disease, kidney stones•Pb- Headaches, joint pain, fatigue,

miscarriages •Mg- Nausea, low blood pressure,

irregular heart beat•Mn- Chronic liver disease, psychosis,

shaking •Na- high blood pressure, kidney disease,

osteoporosis

Method•Weighed out approximately 34 g•Blended each sample with 50 mL of water

(100 mL for Broccoli) •Filtered samples through a Buchner

funnel •Ran standards •Ran samples

Standard Curves Concentration v.s Intensity for Calcium

0 10 20 30 40 50 600

4000

8000

12000

16000

20000y=286.9x+300.6R2=0.9987

ppm

Inte

nsity

Concentration v.s Intensity Lead

0 10 20 30 40 50 600

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000y=179.9x-598.7R2= 0.9934

ppm

Inte

nsity

Concentration v.s Intensity for Manganese

0 10 20 30 40 50 600

500000

1000000

1.5100 6

y=22469x+37597R2=0.9995

ppm

Inte

nsity

Results •Calcium

Vegetables Locally Grown(ppm)

Organic(ppm)

Potato 78.78 102.78

Zucchini 192.93 599.45

Beets 63.77 123.16

Broccoli 342.44 224.11

Results•Manganese

Vegetables Locally Grown

(ppm)

Organic

(ppm)

Potato 0.0052 0.1409

Zucchini -0.342 -0.405

Beets -0.5489 2.74

Broccoli -1.38 -0.707

Results •Lead

Vegetables Locally Grown

(ppm)

Organic

(ppm)

Potato 3.92 4.43

Zucchini 3.798 3.82

Beets 6.92 6.11

Broccoli 3.46 3.67

Results •Sodium

Vegetables Locally Grown

(ppm)

Organic

(ppm)

Potato 27.13 90.29

Zucchini 8.31 22.41

Beets 517.97 641.52

Broccoli 153.58 82.45

Results •Magnesium

Vegetables Locally Grown

(ppm)

Organic

(ppm)Potato 197.75 192.84

Zucchini 154.10 203.71

Beets 167.99 244.54

Broccoli 160.97 112.24

Conclusions•Mn found only in organic beets•Broccoli had lower organic

concentrations, except for lead • Beets had higher organic concentrations,

except for lead •Organic zucchini and potato's were higher

in all categories

Conclusion •Based on our data, a healthier dietary

decision can be made concerning metal content.

Sources • http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-

HealthProfessional/• http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/

healthy-eating/4-signs-youre-getting-too-much-sodium.html

• http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

• http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-182-MANGANESE.aspx?activeIngredientId=182&activeIngredientName=MANGANESE