Análisis de metales pesados en el cacao

Abstract

Cocoa is an exportable item of great relevance in the Ecuadorian economy. The demand and quality of the product has led it to the international market, especially to European countries. One of the parameters that measures the quality of cocoa and its derivatives is the determination of heavy metals. The presence of heavy metals in cocoa can be an indication that soils or irrigation water could be contaminated by the action of industries and, in particular, mining; Therefore, it is necessary to determine these elements before their commercialization. Therefore, the current research aimed to identify the official methods and techniques for the quantification of heavy metals present in cocoa, through the review of national and international regulations. Given the risks that the ingestion of heavy metals represents for the environment and human health, Ecuador, through the NTE INEN - CODEX STAN 228 standard and through the methods established by AOAC 999.10 and AOAC 999.11, defines the limits allowable for Cd, As, Cu and Pb in all foods, except fats. For cocoa beans, the provisions of the EUROPEAN UNION and the Codex Alimentarius are taken as a reference, these two regulations being the most demanding at the international level. While most Latin American countries adopt their own regulations to ensure product quality and safety, all are based on international standards for the import and export of the product.