Elution Behavior of Heavy Metals into Liquid-Food-Simulating Solvents from Insoluble Minerals Used as Food Additives

• Published in: BUNSEKI KAGAKU Vol. 56; no. 12; pp. 1197 - 1203
• Main Authors: Fujimaki, Teruhisa, Amagasa, Takashi, Horie, Masakazu, Ito, Rie, Saito, Koichi, Nakazawa, Hiroyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry 2007
• Subjects: fluorescence X-ray spectrometer; food additives; heavy metal elements; ICP-OES; insoluble minerals
• ISSN: 0525-1931
• DOI: 10.2116/bunsekikagaku.56.1197

There is increasing concern that heavy metals present in insoluble minerals used as filter aids are eluted during the filtration of liquid food. Therefore, fundamental research was conducted to determine whether such a phenomenon actually takes place. First, material tests of insoluble minerals were performed using fluorescence X-ray analysis. A semi-quantitative analysis of the major elements constituting insoluble minerals revealed that Si content was higher than approximately 70%, while Al, Fe, Na, and Ca were present in relatively large amounts. As, Pb, and Cd were detected in insoluble minerals other than talc. Then, the elution test was performed on liquid-food-simulating solvents used in the manufacturing process. The elution test of Hg, As, Pb, Cr, and Cd using liquid-food-simulating solvents demonstrated that neither Cd nor Hg was detected from various combinations of insoluble minerals and liquid-food-simulating solvents. In the elution test, As, Pb, and Cr were eluted when nitric acid, a strong eluent, was used. On the other hand, heavy metals, such as As and Pb, were eluted when filter aids, such as diatomaceous earth, were used in the manufacture of near-neutral liquid food and liquid food containing organic acids, such as alcoholic beverages and acetic acid. In this study, where food hygiene was the main concern, As was found not to pose any problems. However, since the toxicity of As is dependent on its chemical form, it is necessary to determine the chemical form of eluted As in future studies.