Heavy metals in aromatic spices by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Overview

Bua and colleagues measured cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) in seven aromatic spice samples traded in the Italian market. Samples included cinnamon, curcuma, and ginger from multiple declared origins and were analyzed by microwave-assisted digestion followed by ICP-MS. The paper reports total As and total Hg only, not inorganic arsenic or methylmercury. The current ingredient taxonomy includes spices, cinnamon, and turmeric; ginger-specific values are retained in the matrix notes because ginger is not in the snapshot.

Key numbers

Table 4 reports range and mean ± SD values in mg Kg-1, dw:

Additional source-reported values:

• Table 4 average range: Cd 0,029-0,294; Hg < 0.010-0,851; As 0,007-0,701; Pb 0,164-2,923.
• Table 4 average concentration: Cd 0,110±0,093; Hg 0,178±0,292; As 0,192±0,251; Pb 0,902±0,747.
• LOD/LOQ values from Table 2 were As 0,015/0,052 ng g-1, Cd 0,008/0,021 ng g-1, Pb 0,010/0,042 ng g-1, and Hg 0,010/0,035 ng g-1.
• The authors state that no investigated heavy metal exceeded the Italian L.D. no.107 or FAO/WHO maximum levels in any tested sample.
• Risk assessment assumed spice intake of 0,2 g day-1 for an adult with body weight 70 Kg.
• The paper reports TWI/PTWI/BMDL exceedance percentages for several spice/origin rows: cinnamon from Vietnam exceeded Cd TWI at 151% and Pb BMDL 01 at 431,2%; Japanese ginger exceeded As BMDL 01 at 663-24,8% and Pb BMDL 01 at 219%; Sri Lankan curcuma exceeded the relevant values for each investigated metal.

Methods (brief)

Seven samples of three spices were randomly purchased from local Italian markets and classified by scientific name, plant part, and origin. Each dry spice sample aliquot was 0,25 g and was milled with a Teflon mortar. One mL of Re internal standard was added before digestion with 10 mL HNO3 in PTFE vessels using a microwave digestion system. Metals were quantified by Agilent 7500cx ICP-MS using external calibration, internal standards, helium collision gas, and five replicate determinations. Method validation used calibration curves, LOD/LOQ, repeatability, intermediate precision, and NIST-1570a spinach leaves. The paper reports total As and total Hg only.

Implications

This source contributes Italy-market occurrence evidence for Cd, Pb, total As, and total Hg in imported aromatic spices. It is useful for the spices product page and for ingredient-level context on cinnamon and turmeric/curcuma; ginger needs to remain matrix-only unless a ginger ingredient slug is later added. The source is not suitable for inorganic arsenic or methylmercury pooling because it reports total elements only.

Related evidence

• Spices
• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Spices
• Cadmium
• Mercury, Total
• Arsenic, Total
• Lead

Update history

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