Quantification of Essential Metals in Spice Mixtures for Regulatory Compliance Using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Quantification of Essential Metals in Spice Mixtures for Regulatory Compliance Using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Introduction

Foods, together with water, provide the major proportion of the total daily intake of trace elements by humans. Spices and vegetables are some of the most common foods in the human diet around the world. Besides polluted soil and water, foods can also be contaminated with trace metals by the introduction of mechanized farming, the increasing use of chemicals, food processing and packaging, etc. In order to minimize adverse impact, it is important to measure and continuously monitor the levels of trace elements in various kinds of food materials. Trace element food composition data are also important for both consumers and health professionals. In recent years, food labeling legislation has enforced this requirement. Trace element determination in complex matrices, such as food, often requires sample preparation prior to determination by instrumental techniques.¹