Heavy Metal Index
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Black and pale peppercorns, turmeric powder and cinnamon sticks illustrating Bahrouna 2025 spice elemental study research context.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals Contents in Spices Available on Zawia City`s Markets

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Overview

Bahrouna and colleagues measured 11 metals in 13 spice and seasoning samples purchased from local markets in Zawia City, Libya. The paper provides Libya-market occurrence evidence for broad mixed-spice products, with results reported as average concentrations in ppm and compared with EU, FDA, and Codex reference limits.

Key numbers

  • The sample set included 13 commonly used mixed spice or seasoning products purchased in Zawia City during September 2023.
  • Table 2 reports average +/- SD concentrations of Fe 0.53 +/- 0.44 ppm, nickel (Ni) 0.65 +/- 0.04 ppm, lead (Pb) 0.12 +/- 0.05 ppm, cadmium (Cd) 0.20 +/- 0.09 ppm, mercury (Hg) 0.09 +/- 0.03 ppm, arsenic (As) 0.09 +/- 0.03 ppm, Co 0.50 +/- 0.00 ppm, Cu 0.26 +/- 0.15 ppm, Zn 0.41 +/- 0.30 ppm, Mn 2.43 +/- 1.82 ppm, and chromium (Cr) 0.56 +/- 0.51 ppm.
  • The abstract reports the same toxic-element summary with mercury 0.09 +/- 0.03 ppm, arsenic 0.086 +/- 0.03 ppm, and lead 0.12 +/- 0.05 ppm.
  • Table 1 lists comparison limits for spices: Pb 0.5-3.0 ppm EU, 2.0 ppm FDA action level, and 5.0 ppm Codex; Cd 0.1-0.5 ppm EU, 0.1 ppm FDA, and 0.3 ppm Codex; As 0.5-1.0 ppm EU and 1.0 ppm FDA/Codex; Hg 0.03-0.1 ppm EU and 0.1 ppm FDA/Codex.
  • The authors state that all measured heavy-metal concentrations were below international safety limits, while noting Cd at 0.20 ppm was at the upper boundary of some comparison thresholds.

Methods (brief)

The authors collected dry spice samples from local markets and spice shops, ground them, and wet-digested 4 g portions in 40 ml of an oxi-acidic mixture of 70 percent nitric acid and 30 percent hydrogen peroxide (4:1) at 130 degrees Celsius for 3 hours. Digests were filtered through Whatman No. 42 paper and diluted to 25 ml, and metals were measured using an XSupreme 8000 X-ray fluorescence instrument (Oxford Instruments). Results are reported as total elemental concentrations in ppm; arsenic, mercury, and chromium are not speciated.

Implications

Certification: This source contributes broad Libya-market occurrence evidence for mixed spices, especially total arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, and chromium. It should not be used as inorganic arsenic, methylmercury, or Cr(VI) evidence.

Courses: The paper is useful for teaching jurisdiction-specific spice monitoring and the difference between a mean concentration below a limit and a full product-row distribution.

App: Route as broad mixed-spice evidence for Libya, with no brand-level extraction.

Update history

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