Impact of Irrigation Water and Rhizospheric Soil on Quality of Different Fruits Concerning Metal Ions

Fruits are highly consumed worldwide and constitute a major nutritious food source. However, their food assessment has not been adequately studied and documented in certain areas based on their chemical analysis. Standard procedures were used to determine the proximate and chemical composition of fruits. Atomic absorption and flame spectrophotometry was used to determine the mineral composition, especially essential, trace, and toxic elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in different fruits with rhizospheric soil and irrigation water collected from Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. The moisture, ash, fiber, crude fat, crude protein, and carbohydrate content recorded in the studied fruits were 85.24%, 2.84%, 5.23%, 2.14%, 3.30%, and 21.02%, respectively. The higher value of Na, Ca, Mg (6.8, 17.2, 21.66 mg/kg) and Cr (2.72 μg/kg) were found in jujube. In comparison, significantly higher values of Pb (3.95 μg/kg) and Cd (4.74 μg/kg) were observed in jujube and guava. The findings of this study suggest that the recommended daily allowance of essential nutrients for the sustenance of healthy life and appropriate body functioning can be fulfilled through fruits because there was no significant impact of heavy metals found. This clearly shows irrigation water and rhizospheric soil were found to be suitable for cultivation.