Effect of asamkandis (Garcinia xanthochymus) pulp in decreasing level of mercury (Hg) and plumbum (Pb) content in water spinach (ipomea aquatica forssk)

Water spinach (Ipomea aquatica Forssk) is one vegetable plant that is consumed by people. Contamination of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) would cause health problems if it exceeds the allowable limit. The research aimed to determine the levels of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) content in water spinach from the plantation in Cakung Industrial Area in Jakarta and also determine variaous concentration of asamkandis solution that had most influence in decreasing levels of Hg and Pb content in water spinach. The research method was using wet and dry destruction, then the result ofthe destruction of the metal content was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and analyzed using Indonesia standard method of SNI19-2896-1998andAOAC999.11/9.1.09.2005. Before immersion step, Hg level was 0,010mg/kg and Pb was0.070 mg/kg. After immersion step with asamkandis solution, highest decreases of Hg and Pb were obtained. Hg decreased up toof0.0080mg/kg(40.30%) andPb up to0.0400mg/kg(42.86%). It can be concluded that asamkandis can reduce the metal content and seem the citric acid responsible for it reducing capacity.