Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry analysis of heavy metals in some food additives available in baghdad markets, iraq

Abstract

Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) was used in this study to determine the concentrations of heavy metals such as Ca, Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn in some food additives of Iraq. The order of metal contents in food additives was found to be Ca ˃ Mn ˃ Fe ˃ Cu ˃ Zn ˃ Pb ˃ Cr ˃ Ni ˃ Co ˃ Cd. The concentration level of each metal was compared with that recommended by food agriculture organisation (FAO) and world health organisation (WHO). Calibration curves were linear for all standard solutions of heavy metals in the range starting from 0.02-0.4 mg/kg for Cd to 11-100 mg/kg for Ca. The correlation coefficients values (R2) of calibrations were investigated and ranged from 0.9971 for Cr to 0.9999 for Ca. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be in highest value for Ca (1.6569 mg/kg and 5.5232 mg/kg), while they were found to be in lowest values for Cd (0.0150 mg/kg and 0.0499 mg/kg).