Abstract

ECHEVERRY, A.  and  REYES, H.. Determination of the concentration of cadmium in a Colombian chocolate with 65% of cocoa, and foreign chocolates with different cocoa percentages. Entre Ciencia e Ingenieria [online]. 2016, vol.10, n.19, pp.22-32. ISSN 1909-8367.

The presence of cadmium was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively in a dark chocolate with 65% cocoa produced in Colombia, and foreign chocolates with different percentages of cocoa. 0.5 grams were taken for the preparation of the samples, and an acid digestion with concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃ 65%) was performed. The metal determination was carried out by the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry Technique (FAAS). The detection limit (LOD) and the quantification (LOQ) of the method was determined, obtaining values of 0.0309 mg/L and 0.0670 mg/L respectively. The average concentration of cadmium in the national chocolate was 4.0477 mg/kg, exceeding the limits established by the Codex Alimentarius (2,0 mg/kg) and the European Union (0,8 mg/kg).

Keywords : cadmium; dark chocolate; atomic absorption spectrophotometry; detection limit; quantification limit.

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