Evaluation of Essential and Toxic Metals in Selected Underutilized Fruits of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, Kerala

Fruits are significant constituents of diet providing micronutrients and the knowledge of elemental composition of fruits is essential for the evaluation of consumption and development of new food products. The present study analysed the elemental composition of ten underutilized edible fruits viz., Aporosa cardiosperma (Gaertn.) Merr., Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) Muell. Arg., Elaeocarpus serratus L., Flacourtia montana Graham., Phoenix pusilla Gaertn., Psidium guineense Sw., Spondias pinnata (L. f.) Kurz., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, Syzygium gardneri Thwaites and Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) DC. from the Kerala part of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Sodium, potassium and calcium were estimated flame photometrically while the remaining metals viz., magnesium, strontium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and the results were recorded as mg 100g⁻¹ fresh weight. All the fruits analysed are characterised by high nutritious metallic elements and very low concentrations of metallic contaminants and sufficient to fulfill the recommended dietary allowance by Indian Council of Medical Research. Hence, they are safe for human consumption and need to be popularised and recommended for commercial exploitation.

Promote the consumption of underutilized fruits naturally rich in micronutrients.

Improve the economic, social and nutritional status of the rural community.