Determinación de As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb y Zn en tés negros (Camellia sinensis L.) vendidos en supermercados en Campos dos Goytacazes, Brasil

Abstract

Camellia sinensis L. is a small tree in the Theaceae family. From its leaves is produced a tea, which is the second most consumed non-alcoholic beverage in the world. The tea of this plant can bring several health benefits, however, some elements present in the leaves of Camellia sinensis L. are potentially toxic, for example, As, Cd and Pb; since they are among the ten chemical substances of major health risks. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) after acid digestion of commercial samples of black tea from the plant Camellia sinensis L. acquired in supermarkets from Campos dos Goytacazes (Brazil). The detection limits for the elements were 0.5 mg kg−1 for As; 0.003 mg kg−1 for Cd; 0.02 mg kg−1 for Cr; 1.2 mg kg−1 for Cu; 0.09 mg kg−1 for Pb and 0.04 mg kg−1 for Zn. The concentrations found of the potentially toxic elements Cd and Pb in the black teas of Camellia sinensis L. are below the concentrations established by ANVISA (0.60 mg kg−1 and 0.40 mg kg−1, respectively).