Analysis and probabilistic health risk assessment of some trace elements contamination and sulphur dioxide residual in raisins

ABSTRACT

In this study, the trace elements lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) quantity have been investigated using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) residual by iodometric titration method in raisin samples in different regions of Iran. The results showed that the concentration of Cu, Zn and Fe were in the range of 0.053–0.212 mg/kg, 0.048–0.170 mg/kg and 0.541–0.843 mg/kg, respectively, whereas Cd, Ni, As and Pb concentrations in the samples were less than detection limit (LOD). The SO₂ residual in raisin samples was between 30 and 843.33 mg/kg. The LOD of Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and As were 0.022 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 0.047 mg/kg, 0.04 mg/kg, 0.019 mg/kg, 0.024 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. The Monte Carlo simulation results showed that the indexes of target hazard quotient (THQ) due to ingestion of SO₂ residues estimated lower than the safe level (THQ < 1) in all samples, except in the Raisin-B and Raisin-D samples. Accordingly, to ensure consumer health and improve international trade, continuous control and adaptive regulation of sulphur dioxide residues and trace elements in dried fruit are recommended.

KEYWORDS:

• Food contaminants
• trace elements
• risk assessment
• analytical chemistry
• food analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statements

All data related to this article are given in tables and figures and no other data is available.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.