Determination of Toxic Metals in Different Brand of Chocolates and Candies, Marketed in Pakistan

Nusrat Jalbani; Tasneem Gul Kazi; Hassan I. Afridi; Mohammad Bilal Arain

doi:10.21743/

Authors

Nusrat Jalbani PCSIR Laboratories Karachi, Pakistan Author
Tasneem Gul Kazi National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan Author
Hassan I. Afridi National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan Author
Mohammad Bilal Arain Dept. of Mathematics & Basic Sciences, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 75270, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21743/

Keywords:

Toxic metals, Chocolates, Candies, Atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

In present study three toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) were determined in chocolates and candy samples available in local markets of Hyderabad, Pakistan. Concentrations of understudy toxic metals (TMs) were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. Validation of the methodology was performed by standard addition method and conventional acid digestion on electric hot plate to obtained TMs concentration, for comparative purpose to obtain results within the 95% confidence level. No significant differences were observed for TMs obtained from both methods (P = 0.05). The concentration of Cd, Ni and Pb were observed in chocolates and candy samples is ranged as of 0.099 - 0.353, 1.45 - 4.33 and 1.11 - 2.48 μg/g, respectively. The results indicated that cocoa-based chocolates have higher contents of TMs than milk- based chocolates and candies.