Trace elements in the fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia

Concentrations of selected trace elements (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) in the date palm fruits and their washing fluids were investigated in two locations of Jeddah with different environmental pressure (residential vs urban). Factor Analysis with varimax rotation showed the role of potential sources of the investigate elements. The levels of these elements were found to be greater in the urban site than in the residential one, increasing with the harvest time. The present study has shown that date palm has a strong potential for environmental biomonitoring. However, attention to the safety of dates for human consumption should be payed, in particular to the harvesting time, the environmental pressure of the area with special attention to Ag and Cd, and the possible occurrence of dust storms.