Distribution of metals in aquatic edible plants: Trapa natans (Roxb.) Makino and Ipomoea aquatica Forsk

Most of the water bodies being used for the cultivation of edible aquatic p lants (Trapa natans and Ipomoea aquatica) in Lucknow district, U.P., India, were found to be contaminated with a variety of toxic metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Mn and Pb). The concentration of metals Cr, Pb and Fe in water was much hig her than recommended permissible limits of WHO (1995). The edible parts of these plants bioconcentrated metals from their surrounding water significan tly. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess the metal concentra tion in edible part of plants which was collected from various water bodies used for cultivation of these crops. Despite varying levels of metals foun d in various fruit parts of T. natans, the metal accumulation in kernel was alarming. However, metal content decreased significantly in various parts after boiling the fruit. Similarly, I. aquatica also accumulated significan tly higher amounts of these metals in leaves, however the metal accumulatin g potential varied considerably depending upon level of metal contamination in the water body in which they were growing. The importance of these find ings in the exploitation of these aquatic crops to meet the demand of food and health perspectives for human beings is highlighted.