Lead and some trace elements concentration in cocoa candies

Abstract EN

The distribution of lead, zinc, lithium, aluminum, cerium, vanadium, antimony and arsenic was investigated in cocoa candy samples collected from Basra local markets.

The samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometer (ICP-MS).

Concentration of these trace elements (µg/g fresh weight) ranged between 0.1065 – 0.4371 for pb, 0.1791 – 1.289 for Li, 8.460 – 52.0728 for Al, and from not detected to 0.

2923, 0.0091 and 0.0272 for Ce, V and Sb respectively, while As was not detected in all samples.

The average amount of trace elements present in samples in general, below the maximum permitted concentration.

These data indicate that the consumption of candies are safe in moderate quantities.