Abstract:
Potato (Solanum tuberosum. L) is one of the most widely used as a staple food crop for human
diets. It is an excellent source of minerals. In this study, contents of K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn in
potato cultivars cultivated in Seru district of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia were determined by Inductively
Coupled plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. A 2g oven –dried potato sample was digested
using a mixture of 6NHCl at 65 0
c for 7hrs. The concentration ranges in dry weight basis in decre
asing order were K(16,683.43 ±65.15mg/l),Mg(733.49±17.17 mg/l),Ca(357.18 ±3.56 mg/l),Fe(3
30.04 ±6.70mg/l) andZn(19.74±5.84 mg/l). The K found in high content due to its macro
element while Fe was the most abundant microelement. A wide range of variations was observed
in the metal contents of potato cultivars collected from the two sites. Potato cultivars grown in
Arsi Ethiopia could contribute a substantial amount of Fe and Zn together with the major
elements K and Mg in the individual’s daily dietary needs if consumed on a regular basis.
Further studies with reference to other essential and non-essential elements have to be done
including other missed elements in this research.
