School of Natural and Social Sciences (SNSS)

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Browsing School of Natural and Social Sciences (SNSS) by Subject "1. Metals in Banana grown - Unguja Island"

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    Levels of Selected Metals in Banana Grown in Unguja - Island
    (The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), 2017-10) ALI, Maryam Hassan
    Banana plays important role in providing dietary needs to the individuals from vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium and other metals that are needed in the daily food as dietary supplementation and for some enzymes and hormonal functions. This study aims at assessing level of metals (Na, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se,Cd, Pb and Cr) in banana grown in different areas of Unguja-Island using EDXRF machine. The analyzed metals were observed and recorded from different areas of Jumbi, Ndijani, Masingini as well as Mpigaduri. T-test to compare the mean concentrations of metals in banana showed that potassium had highest concentration in all samples where it cover a total average of 10537.62 mg/kg followed by sodium which counted about 8723.50 mg/kg, lead with 106.151 mg/kg, chromium was 90.747mg/kg, iron was 61.548 mg/kg, manganese was 58.949 mg/kg, cadmium 14.995mg/kg, zinc which counted with 9.478 mg/kg and selenium was 2.01 mg/kg. Therefore, in increasing order, the concentration of the metals in banana, is given as K> Na> Pb> Cr > Fe>Mn> Cd>Zn> Se. In addition, highest concentrations of metals were found in banana grown at Jumbi areas, while lowest levels of metals were found in banana grown at Ndijani. Therefore, in increasing order the levels of selected metals in study areas was Jumbi> Mpigaduri> Masingini> Ndijani. Highest levels of metals were likely influenced by garbage present in study areas, the garbage were purposely dumped for more than 15 years in the study areas, while the lowest concentration of metals in Ndijani might be due to the solid wastes dumped over the last 6 years. Concentration of metals investigated in all banana samples were above limit recommended by several International Organizations.