Impact of metal(loid) contaminated industrial soil on the biochemical traits and nutritional quality of Spinacia oleracea L. and Triticum aestivum L.

Humans are exposed to various metal(loid)s through consuming contaminated vegetables, cereals, and other food products grown in polluted soil. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the presence of metal(loid)s in industrially contaminated soils and assess their effect on two edible plants, Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach) and Triticum aestivum L. (wheat). Soil samples were collected from various industrial sites in three districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. The effects on physiology, nutrient levels, and metal(loid) bioaccumulation were analyzed in both plant species. The accumulation of metal(loid)s in industrial samples significantly reduced growth parameters and nutrient contents in plant species compared to the control (p < 0.05). The soil with the highest toxicity was from the leather industry (S4), so it was excluded from plant analysis. The results showed that the presence of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in industrial soil reduced the uptake of micronutrients, including iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn), in spinach shoots. Deficiencies in mineral nutrients were correlated with decreases in the contents of chlorophyll, proline, protein, polyphenols, and total carbohydrates in both species. However, these effects were less pronounced in wheat than in spinach. This study demonstrated the presence of metal(loid)s in edible plants and their effect on physiology and nutrients, without visible symptoms of damage, may pose a risk to human health.