Quality control by the determination of heavy metals in new variety of cocoa (cocoa mercedes) Cote d'Ivoire

• Published in: Journal de la Société ouest-africaine de chimie Vol. 37; p. 56
• Main Authors: Yapo, Kicho Denis, Ouffoue, Sebastien Koffi, N'guessan, Boka Robert, Okpekon, Timothee Aboua, Dade, Joel, Say, Martial, Kouakou, Tanoh Hilaire
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Atomic absorption analysis; Cadmium; Chromium; Cocoa; Cote d'Ivoire; Heavy metals; Lead (metal); Prunus dulcis; Quality control
• ISSN: 0796-6687

Three heavy metals Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Lead (Pb) were investigated in samples (almonds, teguments, fresh juice and fermented juices) of cocoa (cocoa mercedes). The Cocoa "Mercedes" is promoted in Cote d'Ivoire to substitute the old plants in order to increase the productivity. The cocoa samples were collected from two (2) experiment stations (Abengourou (East) and Divo (Southwest)) and two (2) extension stations (Adzope (Southeast) and Yamoussoukro (Central)) of Cote d' Ivoire. Each sample was mineralized by digestion (3:1 HF: HNO sub( 3)) and purified. The purified liquid extract was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) with graphic furnace according to Quality Control /Quality Assurance QC / QA procedures. The results revealed the bioavailability of the tree heavy metals with variable concentration in different parts of the cocoa. The lowest concentrations were observed in Cr (mean: 4.50 - max: 8.90). The study brought up the concentrations (in mu g / kg) higher for Pb (mean = 454.17 and max = 1690. 00) and Cd (mean = 126. 08 and max = 644.00).