Nitrate and Nitrite Levels of Some Fruit Species Grown in Van, Turkey

Abstract

The levels of nitrates and nitrites were evaluated in some fruits including apple, apricot, peach, nectarine, pear, grape and sour cherry. For investigation, the fruits were collected from July to October based on their harvest seasons and analyzed using cadmium acetate column. The levels of nitrates and nitrites were expressed in mg/kg as wet-basis. Apple, pear, peach and nectarine and grape fruits contained in fresh matter, 3.01-24.36, 0.00-12.09, 0.00-56.39, 0.54-45.02, 0.00- 1.92, 0.00-80.90 mg NO₃/kg, respectively. The levels of nitrites were 0.00-0.198, 0.00-0.123, 0.00-0.231, 0.00-0.096, 0.00-0.064, 0.00-0.261 mg NO₂/kg for the fruits of apple, sour cherry, apricot, peach and nectarine and grape, respectively. The levels of nitrates and nitrites of the fruits delivered to street market from the other regions were 24.30-92.80 and 0.284-1.741 mg/kg that were lower than that of the fruits grown in the district of Van. The levels of nitrates and nitrites of all fruits were under the harmful levels to human health.