Evaluation of Lead and Arsenic concentrations in commercial beverages in Isfahan market by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Document Type : Original research
Authors
- Nasibeh Jafari
- Forough Kiani
- Marzieh Teimouri
- Aref Hashemifard
- Elham Jahanmard
- Narjes Rahimi
- Soheila Sepahi
- Azadeh Motamedi
- Fatemeh Ansari
- Fatemeh Masoudi
- Narges Esfandiarpour
- Neda Ghorabi
- Seyed Mohamad Reza Nazifi
Laboratories of Food and Drug Control, Vice Chancellery for Food and Drug, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
10.22059/jfabe.2025.397802.1205
Abstract
By increasing the world-wide population, the consumption of beverages has grown significantly. Beverages usually
contain different heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), which are toxic for humans and the environment.
In our work, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method was used for quantification of Arsenic (As) and lead
(Pb) contents in various beverages. Fifty-nine samples were collected from the Isfahan market and were divided into
eight groups based on flavor. All groups were contained Pb below the allowable range (50 ng/mL) and also7 out of
8 groups were contained As more than permitted level (10 ng/mL). According to our results, it is important to control
frequently heavy metal contamination in beverages due to the usage by a wide range of people.
Keywords
Main Subjects
References
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Silva, P. M. C. (2015). Arsenic and human health effects: A
review. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, 40(3), 828-
846.
Aghebat Bekher, S., Barzegar-Bafrouei, S., Marboutian, F., Bakhtiyari, A.,
Matin, M., & Sadighara, M. (2024). Determination of lead levels
in cold and hot beverages on the Iranian market using the atomic
absorption spectrometry method. Caspian Journal of Veterinary
Science, 1(1), 55-62.
Alimentarius, C. (1995). CXS 193-1995 General Standard for Contaminants
and Toxins in Food and Feed (last amended in 2019). WHO Food
Standards Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations. In.
Alsunni, A. A. (2015). Energy drink consumption: beneficial and adverse
health effects. International journal of health sciences, 9(4), 468.
AOAC. (2019). Guidelines for Standard Method Perfor(1)mance
Requirements. AOAC international. 2019. AOAC international.
Ara, A., & Usmani, J. A. (2015). Lead toxicity: a review. Interdisciplinary
toxicology, 8(2), 55.
Bahrami, S., Nikfallah, S., Moslehishad, S. (2025). Canning Process Effects
on Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Tin) Contents in Skipjack
Tuna (Katsuwonus Pelamis) in Oil. Journal of Food and
Bioprocess Engineering, In Press.
Balali-Mood, M., Riahi-Zanjani, B., Mahdizadeh, A., Moradi, V., & FazeliBakhtiyari, R. (2018). Arsenic and Lead Contaminations in
Commercial Fruit Juices of Markets in Mashhad, Iran. Iranian
Journal of Toxicology, 12(3).
Byers, H. L., McHenry, L. J., & Grundl, T. J. (2019). XRF techniques to
quantify heavy metals in vegetables at low detection limits. Food
Chemistry: X, 1, 100001.
Committee, A. I. M. (2011). Standard method performance requirementsAOAC International methods committee guidelines for validation
of biological threat agent methods and/or procedures. J. AOAC
Int., 94, 1359-1381.
DIN12856. (1999). Foodstuffs –Determination of acesulfame-k, aspartame
and saccharine - high performance liquid chromatographic
method.
Doroszkiewicz, J., Farhan, J. A., Mroczko, J., Winkel, I., Perkowski, M., &
Mroczko, B. (2023). Common and trace metals in Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s diseases. International journal of molecular
sciences, 24(21), 15721.
Fadavi, G., Ahmadi, N., Esfandyari, C., Behmadi, H. (2018). Some chemical
characteristics of major varieties of sour cherry grown in Iran.
Journal of Food and Bioprocess Engineering. 1 (2), 137-142
Fathabad, A. E., Shariatifar, N., Moazzen, M., Nazmara, S., Fakhri, Y.,
Alimohammadi, M.,…Khaneghah, A. M. (2018). Determination
of heavy metal content of processed fruit products from Tehran's
market using ICP-OES: a risk assessment study. Food and
chemical toxicology, 115, 436-446.
Feizy, J., Jahani, M., Ahmadi, S. (2020). Antioxidant activity and mineral
content of watermelon peel. Journal of Food and Bioprocess
Engineering. 3 (1), 35-40.
Hu, B., Chen, S., Hu, J., Xia, F., Xu, J., Li, Y., & Shi, Z. (2017). Application
of portable XRF and VNIR sensors for rapid assessment of soil
heavy metal pollution. PloS one, 12(2), e0172438.
Hu, Q., Yang, G., Zhao, Y., & Yin, J. (2003). Determination of copper,
nickel, cobalt, silver, lead, cadmium, and mercury ions in water
by solid-phase extraction and the RP-HPLC with UV-Vis
detection. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 375, 831-835.
ISIRI. (2010). Food and feed-maximum limit of heavy metals. Inst Stand
Indus Res Iran, 12968, 15.
ISIRI. (2013). Foodstuffs – Determination of trace elements –Determination
of total arsenic byhydride generation atomic absorption
spectrometry (HGAAS) after dry ashing. Inst Stand Indus Res
Iran, 16722, 1.
ISIRI. (2015). Foodstuffs - Determination of trace elements - Determination
of lead,cadmium, zinc, copper and iron by atomic absorption
spectrometry (AAS)
after microwave digestion. Inst Stand Indus Res Iran, 19821, 1.
Loguercio, C., De Girolamo, V., Feng, S., Cataldi, V., Blanco, C. D. V., &
Gialanella, G. (1997). Trace elements and chronic liver diseases.
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 11(3), 158-
161.
Mehri, F., Heshmati, A., Ghane, E. T., Mahmudiono, T., & Fakhri, Y. (2024).
Concentration of heavy metals in traditional and industrial fruit
juices from Iran: probabilistic risk assessment study. Biological
Jafari et al. JFBE 8(1): 45-50,2025
50
Trace Element Research, 202(11), 5296-5305.
Mezaban Salih, Q. (2024). Developing an analytical method using atomic
absorption spectroscopy to estimate some heavy metals in
medicines nutritional supplements and blood. International
Journal of Advanced Chemistry Research, 6(1), 95-101.
Modibbo, Y. A. (2025). Determination of Caffeine and Some Heavy Metals
in Energy Drinks. ChemClass Journal, 9(1), 165-172.
Mourya, A., Mazumdar, B., & Sinha, S. K. (2019). Determination and
quantification of heavy metal ion by electrochemical method.
Journal of environmental chemical engineering, 7(6), 103459.
Nugraha, F., Oktaviani, S. M., & Luliana, S. (2024). Analysis of Heavy Metal
Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in Eggplant (Solanum melongena
L.) in Pontianak City by Using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry (AAS). Biology, Medicine, & Natural
Product Chemistry, 13(1), 83-90.
Ogoko, E., Aletan, U., Osu, C., Kelle, H., Iroegbulem, I., Emeziem,
D.,Adams, A. (2024). Hazard and health risk assessment of heavy
metals in non-alcoholic beverage consumed in Abia State,
Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental
Management, 28(9), 2575-2583.
Okano, G., Igarashi, S., Yamamoto, Y., Saito, S., Takagai, Y., Ohtomo,
T.,…Oka, Y. (2015). HPLC-spectrophotometric detection of trace
heavy metals via ‘cascade’separation and concentration.
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry,
95(2), 135-144.
Rahimzadeh, M. R., Rahimzadeh, M. R., Kazemi, S., Moghadamnia, A.
(2017). Cadmium toxicity and treatment: An update. Caspian
journal of internal medicine, 8(3), 135.
Sadeghi, N., Behzad, M., Hajimahmoodi, M., & Shokri, R. (2024).
Determination of metals in soft drinks by anodic stripping
voltammetry. Human, Health and Halal Metrics, 5(2), 19-24.
Scutarașu, E. C., & Trincă, L. C. (2023). Heavy metals in foods and
beverages: Global situation, health risks and reduction methods.
Foods, 12(18), 3340.
Shavali Gilani, P., Sadighara, P., Vakili Saatloo, N.,Yazdanfar, N., Yousefi,
M. (2025). Determination and health risk assessment of heavy
metals content in some
common drinks in Tehran, Iran. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.
2, 102014.
Silvera, S. A. N., & Rohan, T. E. (2007). Trace elements and cancer risk: a
review of the epidemiologic evidence. Cancer Causes & Control,
18, 7-27.
Tag El Din, H., Yousif, H., & Rezk, R. (2022). Some hormonal changes
related to some trace elements deficiency in ration of male lambs.
Egyptian Journal of Animal Health, 2(1), 13-20.
Vakili Saatloo, N., Ebrahiminejad, B., Sadighara, P., Manafi, L., Yazdanfar,
N., Fallahizadeh, S. (2023). Quantification and human health risk
assessment of cadmium and lead in wheat flour on the Iranian
market by atomic absorption spectrometry. Case Studies in
Chemical and Environmental Engineering. 8, 100438.
Wechselberger, C., Messner, B., & Bernhard, D. (2023). The role of trace
elements in cardiovascular diseases. toxics, 11(12), 956.
Abdul, K. S. M., Jayasinghe, S. S., Chandana, E. P., Jayasumana, C., & De
Silva, P. M. C. (2015). Arsenic and human health effects: A
review. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, 40(3), 828-
846.
Aghebat Bekher, S., Barzegar-Bafrouei, S., Marboutian, F., Bakhtiyari, A.,
Matin, M., & Sadighara, M. (2024). Determination of lead levels
in cold and hot beverages on the Iranian market using the atomic
absorption spectrometry method. Caspian Journal of Veterinary
Science, 1(1), 55-62.
Alimentarius, C. (1995). CXS 193-1995 General Standard for Contaminants
and Toxins in Food and Feed (last amended in 2019). WHO Food
Standards Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations. In.
Alsunni, A. A. (2015). Energy drink consumption: beneficial and adverse
health effects. International journal of health sciences, 9(4), 468.
AOAC. (2019). Guidelines for Standard Method Perfor(1)mance
Requirements. AOAC international. 2019. AOAC international.
Ara, A., & Usmani, J. A. (2015). Lead toxicity: a review. Interdisciplinary
toxicology, 8(2), 55.
Bahrami, S., Nikfallah, S., Moslehishad, S. (2025). Canning Process Effects
on Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Tin) Contents in Skipjack
Tuna (Katsuwonus Pelamis) in Oil. Journal of Food and
Bioprocess Engineering, In Press.
Balali-Mood, M., Riahi-Zanjani, B., Mahdizadeh, A., Moradi, V., & FazeliBakhtiyari, R. (2018). Arsenic and Lead Contaminations in
Commercial Fruit Juices of Markets in Mashhad, Iran. Iranian
Journal of Toxicology, 12(3).
Byers, H. L., McHenry, L. J., & Grundl, T. J. (2019). XRF techniques to
quantify heavy metals in vegetables at low detection limits. Food
Chemistry: X, 1, 100001.
Committee, A. I. M. (2011). Standard method performance requirementsAOAC International methods committee guidelines for validation
of biological threat agent methods and/or procedures. J. AOAC
Int., 94, 1359-1381.
DIN12856. (1999). Foodstuffs –Determination of acesulfame-k, aspartame
and saccharine - high performance liquid chromatographic
method.
Doroszkiewicz, J., Farhan, J. A., Mroczko, J., Winkel, I., Perkowski, M., &
Mroczko, B. (2023). Common and trace metals in Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s diseases. International journal of molecular
sciences, 24(21), 15721.
Fadavi, G., Ahmadi, N., Esfandyari, C., Behmadi, H. (2018). Some chemical
characteristics of major varieties of sour cherry grown in Iran.
Journal of Food and Bioprocess Engineering. 1 (2), 137-142
Fathabad, A. E., Shariatifar, N., Moazzen, M., Nazmara, S., Fakhri, Y.,
Alimohammadi, M.,…Khaneghah, A. M. (2018). Determination
of heavy metal content of processed fruit products from Tehran's
market using ICP-OES: a risk assessment study. Food and
chemical toxicology, 115, 436-446.
Feizy, J., Jahani, M., Ahmadi, S. (2020). Antioxidant activity and mineral
content of watermelon peel. Journal of Food and Bioprocess
Engineering. 3 (1), 35-40.
Hu, B., Chen, S., Hu, J., Xia, F., Xu, J., Li, Y., & Shi, Z. (2017). Application
of portable XRF and VNIR sensors for rapid assessment of soil
heavy metal pollution. PloS one, 12(2), e0172438.
Hu, Q., Yang, G., Zhao, Y., & Yin, J. (2003). Determination of copper,
nickel, cobalt, silver, lead, cadmium, and mercury ions in water
by solid-phase extraction and the RP-HPLC with UV-Vis
detection. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 375, 831-835.
ISIRI. (2010). Food and feed-maximum limit of heavy metals. Inst Stand
Indus Res Iran, 12968, 15.
ISIRI. (2013). Foodstuffs – Determination of trace elements –Determination
of total arsenic byhydride generation atomic absorption
spectrometry (HGAAS) after dry ashing. Inst Stand Indus Res
Iran, 16722, 1.
ISIRI. (2015). Foodstuffs - Determination of trace elements - Determination
of lead,cadmium, zinc, copper and iron by atomic absorption
spectrometry (AAS)
after microwave digestion. Inst Stand Indus Res Iran, 19821, 1.
Loguercio, C., De Girolamo, V., Feng, S., Cataldi, V., Blanco, C. D. V., &
Gialanella, G. (1997). Trace elements and chronic liver diseases.
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 11(3), 158-
161.
Mehri, F., Heshmati, A., Ghane, E. T., Mahmudiono, T., & Fakhri, Y. (2024).
Concentration of heavy metals in traditional and industrial fruit
juices from Iran: probabilistic risk assessment study. Biological
Jafari et al. JFBE 8(1): 45-50,2025
50
Trace Element Research, 202(11), 5296-5305.
Mezaban Salih, Q. (2024). Developing an analytical method using atomic
absorption spectroscopy to estimate some heavy metals in
medicines nutritional supplements and blood. International
Journal of Advanced Chemistry Research, 6(1), 95-101.
Modibbo, Y. A. (2025). Determination of Caffeine and Some Heavy Metals
in Energy Drinks. ChemClass Journal, 9(1), 165-172.
Mourya, A., Mazumdar, B., & Sinha, S. K. (2019). Determination and
quantification of heavy metal ion by electrochemical method.
Journal of environmental chemical engineering, 7(6), 103459.
Nugraha, F., Oktaviani, S. M., & Luliana, S. (2024). Analysis of Heavy Metal
Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in Eggplant (Solanum melongena
L.) in Pontianak City by Using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry (AAS). Biology, Medicine, & Natural
Product Chemistry, 13(1), 83-90.
Ogoko, E., Aletan, U., Osu, C., Kelle, H., Iroegbulem, I., Emeziem,
D.,Adams, A. (2024). Hazard and health risk assessment of heavy
metals in non-alcoholic beverage consumed in Abia State,
Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental
Management, 28(9), 2575-2583.
Okano, G., Igarashi, S., Yamamoto, Y., Saito, S., Takagai, Y., Ohtomo,
T.,…Oka, Y. (2015). HPLC-spectrophotometric detection of trace
heavy metals via ‘cascade’separation and concentration.
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry,
95(2), 135-144.
Rahimzadeh, M. R., Rahimzadeh, M. R., Kazemi, S., Moghadamnia, A.
(2017). Cadmium toxicity and treatment: An update. Caspian
journal of internal medicine, 8(3), 135.
Sadeghi, N., Behzad, M., Hajimahmoodi, M., & Shokri, R. (2024).
Determination of metals in soft drinks by anodic stripping
voltammetry. Human, Health and Halal Metrics, 5(2), 19-24.
Scutarașu, E. C., & Trincă, L. C. (2023). Heavy metals in foods and
beverages: Global situation, health risks and reduction methods.
Foods, 12(18), 3340.
Shavali Gilani, P., Sadighara, P., Vakili Saatloo, N.,Yazdanfar, N., Yousefi,
M. (2025). Determination and health risk assessment of heavy
metals content in some
common drinks in Tehran, Iran. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.
2, 102014.
Silvera, S. A. N., & Rohan, T. E. (2007). Trace elements and cancer risk: a
review of the epidemiologic evidence. Cancer Causes & Control,
18, 7-27.
Tag El Din, H., Yousif, H., & Rezk, R. (2022). Some hormonal changes
related to some trace elements deficiency in ration of male lambs.
Egyptian Journal of Animal Health, 2(1), 13-20.
Vakili Saatloo, N., Ebrahiminejad, B., Sadighara, P., Manafi, L., Yazdanfar,
N., Fallahizadeh, S. (2023). Quantification and human health risk
assessment of cadmium and lead in wheat flour on the Iranian
market by atomic absorption spectrometry. Case Studies in
Chemical and Environmental Engineering. 8, 100438.
Wechselberger, C., Messner, B., & Bernhard, D. (2023). The role of trace
elements in cardiovascular diseases. toxics, 11(12), 956.
)