Mineral Composition and Health Risk Assessment of Winter-Grown Vegetables from West Bengal, India

Green vegetables are a crucial source of essential nutrients in the human diet. In West Bengal, their consumption increases during the winter. Evaluating the mineral profiles of these commonly consumed vegetables is necessary for potential health implications. This study aimed to quantify zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), and calcium (Ca) in nine vegetables commonly consumed in West Bengal. Samples collected from diverse regions of West Bengal were washed, dried, and homogenized before being subjected to minerals quantification using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Significant variations in mineral profiles were observed across the vegetables. Lablab purpures was the richest source of Ca (1019 mg/kg), Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes had the highest concentration of Zn (53.85 mg/kg), Phaseolus vulgaris had the highest Mn content (149.55 mg/kg), Beta vulgaris had the highest concentration of Cd (1.5 mg/kg), and B. oleracea showed the highest concentration of Cr (24.2 mg/kg). Our results indicate that vegetables grown in West Bengal are generally safe for consumption; however, variations in mineral concentrations exist depending on the specific vegetable type and region. Further research is needed to understand the factors affecting mineral accumulation and identify potential mitigation strategies.