|
Review the Food Safety of Vegetables Produced in Iran from 2011 to 2024 Regarding Nitrate Content
|
Leila Aslani *   |
|
|
|
Abstract: (17 Views) |
Nitrate accumulation is a major food contaminant. Products with high nitrates pose health risks such as gastrointestinal cancer, reduced blood oxygen capacity, circulatory failure, effects on the central nervous system, and metabolic disturbances. Vegetables are the main source of nitrates in the human diet, making it essential to assess the nitrate levels in Iranian vegetables and develop strategies to reduce contamination among farmers. A systematic review following the PRISMA checklist was conducted on data concerning nitrate content in vegetables from studies published between 2011 and 2024. The review found that nitrate levels in 78.20% of leafy vegetables, 73.77% of root and bulb vegetables, and 88.89% of fruit vegetables and immature flowers were within the limits set by the National Standards Organization of Iran. During this period, out of Iran’s 31 provinces, only nine provinces—Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Zanjan, Semnan, Kurdistan, Kerman, Kermanshah, and Lorestan—had investigated nitrate levels in farm or greenhouse produce. Among these, Lorestan showed the highest percentage of contaminated samples. Given the significance of nitrogen levels for consumer health and acceptance of produce, several measures are recommended to farmers, including using nitrogen fertilizers based on soil and tissue tests, employing ammonia-based fertilizers, adopting controlled- and slow-release fertilizers, applying biological stimulants and nitrification inhibitors, harvesting vegetables at optimal physiological age, and timing of harvest, among others, to lower nitrate content in vegetables.
|
|
| Keywords: Vegetable contamination, Chemical contamination, Iran, Nitrate accumulation |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 2489 kb]
(9 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2024/08/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/20 | Published: 2025/12/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
