Determination of cadmium and lead in cocoa beans (theobroma cacao) from organic farm producers canton Vinces

Abstract

Ecuador is the first world producer of fine and of aroma cocoa (it produces more than 60 % of the world production), use d in the manufacture of high quality chocolate and gourmet type. Al the present time, the export of Ecuadorian fine and of aroma cocoa, specially towards European markets is threatened by indications of pollution of heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in the almonds of exportable cocoa, in superior levels to those allowed by the European Com­ munity Food Regulations. The project goals were to determining Cadmium and Lead in cocoa almonds in farms of organic producers of the canton Yinces. There were selected 25 farms as experimental units for this project. For data analysis, non-parametrical statis tics was applied. According to the results, the major value of Cd in almonds was registered in the parish Antonio Sotomayor, farm APOYin­ ces, with 0.98 ppm and the minor value of 0,099 ppm was in the route to Poza­ Seca, APOYinces 115. Referring to Cd ingesta the higher value was detected in Antonio Sotomayor, with 6.14 ppm and the minor value with 0,081 ppm of Cd, in APOYinces - NN9 and APOYinces - 21, respectively. The higher value of Pb in almond s with 5.44 and 5.39 ppm, correspondingly, was found al APOYinces NN8 and APOYinces - NN10, whereas there was no presence of Pb intesta in five The highest value s of Pb were detected at APOYinces - NN11 and APOYinces - NN8 with 7.57 and 7.01 ppm respectively.