Evaluation of trace metallic element levels in coffee by icp-ms: a comparative study among different origins, forms, and packaging types and consumer risk assessment.

Abstract

Trace elements (TE) contamination of foods and beverages constitutes a public health issue. In this context, the main objective of this study was to determine metals and metalloids content in coffee and to assess the health risks associated with contaminated coffee consumption. To this end, 44 samples of coffee from different origins, forms, and packaging types were analyzed. TE analysis was performed by ICP-MS after digestion. The data analysis was based on principal components analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Health risk assessment was determined by the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI). The findings showed that TE levels in coffee varied widely. The highest levels were related to aluminum (Al) (59.88 ± 54.86 mg/kg), manganese (Mn) (16.26 ± 24.59 mg/kg), copper (Cu) (11.60 ± 11.55 mg/kg), and cadmium (Cd) (9.92 ± 10.32 mg/kg). In terms of coffee form and packaging type, a significant difference (P < 0.0001) was observed in nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), Cu, Mn, and Al content. The highest EDI was found in Al (0.0109 mg/kg BW/day) in ground coffee packaged in capsules. In terms of chronic daily intake (CDI), Cd and Al were above the reference dose (RfD). THQ of these elements were greater than 1.0, and HI was above the value of 1.0 in different forms of coffee. More interdisciplinary research on the relationships between the metal concentrations in coffee samples and those in feed, water, and soil would be quite interesting.