Method development for quantification of Lead in food crops by High Resolution Continuum Source Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (HR-CS GFAAS)

Lead, a hazardous heavy metal, poses severe health risks, especially affecting neurological development, making it particularly hazardous for both adults and children even at low concentrations. Given that food serves as the primary source of lead exposure, the recent reports of lead contamination in locally manufactured foods in Ecuador have raised significant concerns for public health not only domestically but also for countries importing these products. The primary objective of this research is to develop a precise, accurate, and reliable method for detecting lead in food crops, specifically targeting white rice and related products. Utilizing high-resolution continuous source atomic absorption spectroscopy (HR- CS GF-AAS), this study aims to enable the identification of lead contamination levels in these crops, ensuring the evaluation’s precision, accuracy, and reliability through a rigorous validation process. The method development involved identifying optimal temperature and volume variables for metal quantifica- tion. Overcoming matrix effects through sample pre-treatment was successful, with further enhancement achieved using a modifier mix of Magnesium and Palladium, particularly effective for cereals like brown rice, oats, and wheat. The calibration curve’s linearity, with an R2 factor of 0.997, and the recovery percentage falling between 100% and 119% across matrices, demonstrated the method’s robustness. High precision in absorbance measurements, ranging between 1% and 6%, was observed for both calibration curves and matrix lead concentration quantification. While none of the samples exceeded the established limit of 0.2 mg/kg for lead concentrations in cereals, white rice exhibited the highest concentration among the tested matrices. Importantly, all parameters fall within the range of acceptability outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for method validation. This project contributes significantly to the field of analytical chemistry applications in food safety, offering a potential solution to mitigate the escalating public health threat posed by lead contamination in food crops, particularly for the Ecuadorian population.

• Үндсэн зохиолч: Herrera Carvajal, Elaine Alexandra (author)
• Формат: bachelorThesis
• Хэл сонгох: eng
• Хэвлэсэн: 2024
• Нөхцлүүд: Horno de gráfito; Cereales; Arroz; Graphite furnace; Cereals; Rice
• Онлайн хандалт: http://repositorio.yachaytech.edu.ec/handle/123456789/787