Cyanide, Nitrate and Nitrite Content of Some Leafy Vegetables and Fruits Commonly Consumed in the South-East of Nigeria

The cyanide, nitrate and nitrite levels of some leafy vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in the South East of Nigeria were determined by standard analytical procedures. All the samples showed the presence of cyanide, nitrate and nitrite of varying concentrations. The mean value of cyanide ranged from 5.04±0.20 mgHCN/kg to 12.96±3.53 mgHCN/kg for vegetables; 2.79±0.16 mgHCN/kg to 6.07±0.16 mgHCN/kg for fruits. While the mean concentration of nitrate and nitrite ranged from 2.64±0.38 mg/kg to 4.80±0.56 mg/kg and 0.97±0.15 mg/kg to 1.97±0.74 mg/kg respectively for vegetables. The mean concentration of nitrate and nitrite of the fruits is in the range of 14.74±4.12 mg/kg to 72.76±14.51 mg/kg and 0.97±0.20 mg/kg to 4.86±0.76 mg/kg respectively. This study highlights the need to study the toxicological implications of chronic low level exposure to cyanide, nitrate and nitrite from vegetables and fruits.