Abstract:
Toxic metals such as Cd, Cr, Pb and Hg, in trace amounts, enter the human body through food products. One of the main sources is the corrosion of the metal made apparatus, which are used in the process of food production. Tomato paste with an average pH value of 4.6 is capable of containing such elements. The effect of metallic apparatus on the concentration of toxic metals in tomato paste has been evaluated. For this purpose 50 samples of tomato, 25 samples of tomato juice and 61 samples of tomato paste were collected and digested with nitric acid. Cadmium and Chromium were determined using atomic absorption (AA), Lead (Pb) was determined using Diphenylcarbazide and spectrophotometer. Mercury (Hg) was determined using cold vapour AA. Statistical method, ANOVA and Duncan tests were used for data analysis. Percent recovery of the methods was also determined. The results of the study indicated that percent recovery of the methods was over than 93 percent, using the spiked samples of I and 5 ppm concentration of the metals. The results of the study also showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb were below the standard level in home made tomato paste samples. The concentration of Hg in all samples was below the standard level and the detection limit of the instrument used. The study also revealed that absence of Hg in all samples could be because of the lack of this element in the percent impurity of the apparatus used. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) and Duncan test also showed significant differences between the methods of preparation of tomato paste which confirm the role of non-standard apparatus in increasing the concentration of toxic elements in tomato paste.
Page(s):
18-22
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Hamdard Medicus, Volume: 50, Issue: 4, Year: 2007