A Comparative Study of Some Nuts And Seeds Constituents Available in Local Market at Misurata City-Libya

The aim of this study was to estimate and compare some of chemical constituents in nuts and seeds consumed as snacks and available in the local market of Misurata city in Libya. 18 kinds of local and imported raw and roasted nuts and seeds samples were randomly collected from stores distributed across the city, with 3 - 4 replicates of each kind, in order to estimate the concentrations of some chemical components and heavy elements, which were lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), moisture, ash, total solids and protein. The dry digestion method was used to prepare the samples for heavy metals determination using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Also, moisture, ash and total solids contents were determined, and Kjeldahl method was used to estimate proteins. The results showed that the average concentrations of heavy metals varied significantly with sample kind. The levels of the studied metals were as follows: 0.075 - 1.167, 31.50 - 116.00, 0.325 - 1.325, 9.425- 71.00, 0.025-3.87, 8.325- 24.825, 0.175- 1.250, 0.050- 0.750, 43.00- 98.325 mg/kg, for Co, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Fe, respectively. Also, levels of moisture contents, ash contents, total solids contents, and protein levels were: 4.0 - 8.5%, 2.0 - 11.39%, 91.5 - 96.0%, and 11.8 - 33.2%, respectively. Most of the obtained results were consistent with the previous studies and within the permissible limits.