![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
One hundred and thirty-five samples of canned tomato paste and 30 tomato sauces (ketchup) samples (23 and 10 brands, respectively) purchased from wholesale markets in the Tehran, Iran, during the period 2010–2013 were analysed. Levels of lead and cadmium were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS) and arsenic by hydride vapour generation (HG-AAS or VGA). Average concentration of arsenic found in the tomato paste and ketchup samples was 62 ± 14 and 48 ± 12 ng g−1, respectively. Cadmium values in 7% of tomato paste and 10% of ketchup samples were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Lead concentrations were below LOQ in 75% of tomato paste and 77% of ketchup samples. Values obtained for these heavy metals in all samples were lower than the limits of national and international standards.