Quantitative analysis and exposure assessment of heavy metals in roasted coffee consumed in Turkey using ICP

Abstract

The heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were quantified in 26 roasted coffee samples (19 Arabica and 7 Robusta) consumed in Turkey using ICP-OES. Cd and Pb were not detected in any sample. Cr was found only in Robusta samples, with a mean concentration of 0.58 mg/kg. The average concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn were 12.34 and 13.10 mg/kg, 13.67 and 14.69 mg/kg, 23.37 and 11.66 mg/kg, 0.04 and 1.17 mg/kg, and 8.31 and 7.19 mg/kg in Arabica and Robusta coffee samples, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations were compared with international limits and literature values. To assess the human health risk posed by heavy metals in the coffee samples, the estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) were calculated based on average coffee consumption. All the EDI values were below the oral reference doses (RfDs), and both the HQ and HI values were less than 1, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risk associated with coffee consumption. Descriptive statistics summarized heavy metal levels, while inferential statistical tests evaluated differences among the coffee-growing regions and between the coffee bean species.