Analysis of Cadmium and Lead in honey: direct-determination by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Authors

  • Andrea Colabucci Italian National Institute of Health, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma
  • Anna Chiara Turco Italian National Institute of Health, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma
  • Maria Ciprotti Italian National Institute of Health, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma
  • Marco Di Gregorio Italian National Institute of Health, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma
  • Angela Sorbo Italian National Institute of Health, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma
  • Laura Ciaralli Italian National Institute of Health, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v5i1.288

Abstract

One of the emerging issues regarding the analysis of inorganic contaminants in food is the determination of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in honey. In fact, this kind of analysis is foreseen in most of the National Residue Control Plans (NRCPs) that European Union Member States (EU MSs) have to perform according to Directive 96/23.

With the aim to provide technical support to the EU National Reference Laboratories (NRLs), an easy-to-use method on direct determination (DD) of Cd and Pb in honey by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) after dissolution in an aqueous mixture of 2.5 % HNO3 (v/v) and 12.5 % H2O2 (v/v) was in-house validated and distributed to the NRLs network. Analyses were carried out on a batch prepared for the feasibility study of the EURL-CEFAO 19th PT on honey. The validation levels (20 and 100 µg/kg for Cd and Pb, respectively) were chosen similar to those that would have been proposed for the PT.

The method proved its efficacy in terms of analytical performance; it appears to be low cost and time saving compared to a microwave sample preparation. In addition, it also decreases the environmental impact, being the amount of acid and reagents considerably reduced.  

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Published

2016-04-29

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Research Papers

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