Determination of Trace and Heavy Metals in Fruit Juices in the Romanian Market

Abstract

The presence of trace, heavy metals in foodstuffs is of intense public interest. The aim of this study was to determine the metal contents in most known commercial fruit juices present on the Romanian market. The multielement analysis was made using the ICP-MS technique, after appropriate dilution, using the external standard calibration method. Multifruit, mango, and kiwi juice have recoded the highest concentration of Cu, while apple and pear juice has recoded the lowest concentration, and in the case of Zn, peach juice has recoded the highest concentration. Concerning Pb, Cd, and As concentration, apple, peach, and multifruit juices recorded the highest levels of concentration. The concentration of Zn, Cu, Co, and As generally, was higher in the juice samples packed in boxes, while Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd recorded the highest values in the juice packed in plastic bottles.