Investigation of Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in Some Summer Vegetables Cultivatedin Bastam Region-Shahroud-Iran

Excessive intake of nitrite and nitrate threatens human health. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of nitrite and nitrate in some summer vegetables cultivated in Bastam region of Shahroud.

the study was conducted in the summer. The study area was divided and a total of 25 summer vegetables, 15 soil samples, and three water samples were measured to determine the levels of nitrate and nitrite according to the Standard instruction (No. 4106).

The total average of nitrate in cucumber, tomato, potato, eggplant and onion was 850.1 ± 65.2, 642.1± 25.4, 48.6 ± 2.5, 14.8 ± 4.5, 791.3±52.1 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively and this level for nitrite was equal to 9.23 ± 0.1, 7.2 ± 0.8, 0.52 ± 0.04, 0.9± 0.05, 5.3±0.32 mg/kg fresh weight that all values were less than the standard level.The level of nitrate and nitrite in the soil was 1250.68 ±562.2 and 98.1 ± 15.2 mg/kg soil weight, respectively. The level of nitrate and nitrite in the water was 5.68±2.2 and 0.23±0.2 mg/l, respectively.

Due to the high consumption of vegetables and summer vegetables in summer and spring, which are also the fertilizing seasons for plantsand shrubs,it is recommended that managers and farmers pay more attention to the process of cultivation and fertilization of agricultural products, as well as frequent monitoring of the level of nitrite and nitrate in the country's vegetables.