Kentucky State University

Impact of Soil Amendments on Antioxidants and Trace-Elements Content of Bell Pepper and Melon Fruits at Harvest

Institution

Kentucky State University

Abstract

Composting and land application of sewage sludge are increasingly popular ways for using organic waste and decreasing the amount of municipal waste being diverted into landfills. However, the mobility of heavy metals from soil amended with sewage sludge into the food chain and their subsequent bioaccumulation in edible plants have increased the attention they received as major environmental pollutants. The objectives of this study were to: i) quantify the concentration of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni) in bell pepper and melon fruits grown in soil amended with sewage sludge (SS) or yard waste (YW) compost, ii) quantify the concentrations of ascorbic acid and phenols in bell pepper and melon fruits grown in soil amended with SS or YW and iii) study the impact of soil amendments on the antioxidant content of bell pepper and melon fruits. Analysis of bell pepper revealed higher concentrations of Ni and Cu in fruits grown in soil amended with SS. There was no significant difference in ascorbic acid content of bell pepper and melon fruits among soil treatments. Phenols concentrations in bell pepper and melon fruits indicated a significantly higher concentration in plants grown in soil amended with YW and SS. Overall concentrations of Ni, Cd, Pb, and Zn in melon fruits were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than pepper fruits. No significant differences were found in Cr, Cu, and Mo concentrations between pepper and melon fruits at harvest time.

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Impact of Soil Amendments on Antioxidants and Trace-Elements Content of Bell Pepper and Melon Fruits at Harvest

Composting and land application of sewage sludge are increasingly popular ways for using organic waste and decreasing the amount of municipal waste being diverted into landfills. However, the mobility of heavy metals from soil amended with sewage sludge into the food chain and their subsequent bioaccumulation in edible plants have increased the attention they received as major environmental pollutants. The objectives of this study were to: i) quantify the concentration of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni) in bell pepper and melon fruits grown in soil amended with sewage sludge (SS) or yard waste (YW) compost, ii) quantify the concentrations of ascorbic acid and phenols in bell pepper and melon fruits grown in soil amended with SS or YW and iii) study the impact of soil amendments on the antioxidant content of bell pepper and melon fruits. Analysis of bell pepper revealed higher concentrations of Ni and Cu in fruits grown in soil amended with SS. There was no significant difference in ascorbic acid content of bell pepper and melon fruits among soil treatments. Phenols concentrations in bell pepper and melon fruits indicated a significantly higher concentration in plants grown in soil amended with YW and SS. Overall concentrations of Ni, Cd, Pb, and Zn in melon fruits were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than pepper fruits. No significant differences were found in Cr, Cu, and Mo concentrations between pepper and melon fruits at harvest time.