Introduction: Fluoride has an influence on both oral as well as systemic health. The major source of fluoride to body is through drinking water as well as through diet. Staple diet mainly depends on local environmental factors, food grains grown locally, its availability etc. Determination of fluoride level in these food grains is important. So, estimation of the amount of fluoride in grains and its relation to the sources of fluoride used for their cultivation viz., soil and water is important.
Aim: To estimate the relation of fluoride concentration in grains (Jowar) with respect to that of soil and water used for their cultivation.
Materials and methods: Fifteen samples each of soil, water and grains were collected using standardized method from the same farm fields of randomly selected villages of Jalgaon district. Fluoride ion concentration was determined in laboratory using SPADNS technique. Mean difference in fluoride levels in between the groups were analyzed using ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey test. Linear regression method was applied to analyse the association of the fluoride content of grain with water and soil.
Results: There was a significant difference in between mean fluoride levels of soil and water (p<0.001) and in between soil and grain (p<0.001); however, difference in between mean fluoride levels of water and grain was found to be non significant (p=0.591). Also fluoride levels in all the three groups showed significant association with each other.
Conclusion: Fluoride level of soil, grains and water should be adjusted to an optimum level. Soil has positive correlation with respect to uptake of fluoride by Jowar grains. So, Jowar grains with optimum fluoride content should be made available in the commercial markets so that oral and general health can be benefitted.
Keywords: Black soil; Fluorosis; Jowar grain; Water.