Determination of Specific Heavy Metals in Fruit Juices Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)

Abstract

Fruit Juices and portable water are some of the most widespread beverages in the habitual diet, and they
contribute significantly to trace element dietary intake. Food can be contaminated with heavy metals by ingestion
of contaminated or polluted food and water. The concentration of heavy metals in fruit juice products varies
depending on their origin, storage condition and processing technologies. There is currently little information
available on the content of heavy metal in fruit juices, both imported and locally produced in India. In the present
study, the level of heavy metals in Apple, pineapple & mango fruit juices consumed in Mysore district are
determined. Samples were randomly collected from Mysore market from the month of July to November 2013. This
study quantitatively determined the composition of heavy metals like Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn & Fe in 24 different
packaged fruit juice samples. Analysis of fruit juice samples for the presence of heavy metals were carried out
using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotoscopy (AAS). The mean value of different metals in analyzed fruit juices
were, for Pb- 0.063 ppm, Cu- 0.072ppm, Mn- 0.325 ppm, Ni- 0.076 ppm, Zn- 0.301 ppm & Fe- 1.871 ppm. The
result shows high level of some of the heavy metals, although they are within the legal limits.