MICROBIAL AND TRACE ELEMENTS POLLUTION OF SOME COMMON SPICES IN BASRAH CITY

Abstract

Five samples of spics were collected from Basrah city markets ,known as :-1) Black pepper 2)cinnamon 3)ginger 4)carnation 5) nutmeg. Highest values recorded of moisture and ash percent were(8.51and6.34) in black pepper, while lowest values were (5.26and2.22)% in nutmeg. Few trace elements:- Cd, Cu, Fe and Ni , black pepper recorded highest values for Fe and Cu (186.6and8.35) mg/kg respectively.While highest values for Cd and Ni recorded in ginger (8.1and59.05)mg/kg for Cd and Ni respectively . Lowest values for Fe and Cd recorded in cinnamon (79.15and5.6)mg/kg respectively. While lowest values for Ni and Cu were recorded in carnation (4.8and4.15) mg/kg for Ni and Cu respectively.Microbiological tests consist of :-total count bacteria(TCB), total coliform(TC), staphylococcus and mold & yeast , black pepper recorded the highest values for all tests which were uncountable,while carnation recorded lowest values for all tests.