The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in apple fruit: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adult #arsenic #cadmium #child #environmental-monitoring

The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in apple fruit: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment

Naimi et al., 2022 | Environ Sci Pollut Res Int | Meta Analysis

Citation

Naimi Nayera, Pilevar Zahra, ... Mousavi Khaneghah Amin. The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in apple fruit: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022-Aug;29(36):54013-54024. doi:10.1007/s11356-022-21158-1

Abstract

The presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in crops can directly/indirectly affect consumers' health. The contamination of apple as one of the most consumed fruits with PTEs such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni) leads to carcinogenic risk (CR) and non-carcinogenic risk (n-CR). In this regard, a systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment regarding the concentration of the PTEs in apples was conducted using international databases such as Scopus and PubMed. According to the results, the rank order of PTEs in apple fruits was Pb (427.45 µg/kg-wet weight) > Ni (228.74 µg/kg-wet weight) > Cr (212.43 µg/kg-wet weight) > As (123.93 µg/kg-wet weight) > Cd (15.28 µg/kg-wet weight). n-CR was higher than 1 for the USA, Serbia for adults, and Poland for children. CR for adults in Serbia, Spain, Greece, China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and children in Serbia, Spain, Greece, China, and Bangladesh were not acceptable (CR > 1.00E - 06 value). In this regard, the pooled PTEs of apples can cause CR and n-CR issues. Therefore, constant monitoring and reduction of pesticide application are strongly recommended for controlling PTEs in apple fruits.

Key Findings

Therefore, constant monitoring and reduction of pesticide application are strongly recommended for controlling PTEs in apple fruits.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Child
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Lead
  • Malus
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Nickel
  • Risk Assessment
  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: chromium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09