EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS IN SWEET POTATOES TO HUMANS

Several metals like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) are essential micronutrients for living organisms and necessary for proper functioning of living organisms by forming part of enzymes. Other metals, such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), constitute nonessential toxic elements of particular concern as environmental food contaminants for their potential toxicity even at low concentrations. Metal monitoring in sweet potatoes forms a current field of research that continuously yields necessary information for safety assessment in regulatory procedures as well as determination of nutritional values and essential elements in the diet.