Abstract
Heavy metal and element contents of two varieties of Brassica rapa (turnip) growing in the same environmental conditions and native to Egypt (Brassica rapa var. rapa) and to the Netherlands (Brassica rapa var. Raapstelen), respectively were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicated that the Egyptian variety had higher concentrations of Mn and Zn at early developmental stages than the Dutch variety, whereas the Dutch variety showed higher concentration of Cu, Co and Na at late developmental stages. The basal second leaves in both varieties were characterized with higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to the upper fourth leaves at any developmental stage. The concentration of heavy metals and elements at any developmental stage is under the permissible levels set by FAO and WHO for human consumption and we recommend that the consumption of these vegetables is safe for humans if cultivated under the same conditions. The consumption of young leaves (upper fourth leaves) is much safer than that of the basal second leaves (in both varieties) due to their low heavy metal contents.