Determination of Elements by ICP-OES Method in Ice-Cream and Cream Samples: A Risk Assessment Study by Monte Carlo Simulation.

Abstract

Since the consumption of dairy products, especially ice cream and cream, is very high in Iran and the world, either directly or indirectly, and no study has been conducted so far on measuring elements in different types of ice cream and cream, the aim of the present study was to investigate levels of 15 elements (Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Se, Mg, P, Ca, Zn, Hg, Al, Ni, Cd, As, and Pb) by using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) technique in the mentioned products along with a health risk assessment by Monte Carlo Simulation. Based on our findings, in all samples, the highest average level of toxic elements was related to Al (29.2 ± 23.9 µg/kg fw or fresh weight), and the lowest mean level of toxic elements was related to Hg (not found). Moreover, the highest average level of essential elements was related to P (8895 ± 4369 µg/kg fw) and the lowest mean level of essential elements was related to Se (0.610 ± 0.150 µg/kg fw). Also, the highest averages of toxic elements in cream was related to As (12.5 µg/kg fw) and in ice cream was related to Al (43.9 µg/kg fw), and the lowest averages were obtained for Hg (not found) in both products. Also, the highest and lowest averages of essential elements in cream were related to P (10641 µg/kg fw) and Se (not found), respectively, and in the ice cream were related to Ca (8135 µg/kg fw) and Se (0.630 µg/kg fw), respectively. In the end, the levels of elements in all ice cream and cream samples were below the standard level. The Monte Carlo method risk assessment reveals that the non-carcinogenic risks from consuming cream and ice cream pose no threat to children or adults (TTHQ < 1.00), but on the contrary, the outcomes of the carcinogenic risk assessment show the TILCR values for both groups exceed acceptable limits, that this indicating a potential risk threat from these products. The principal component analysis (PCA) results revealed the categorization of various toxic and essential elements in all samples. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the consumption of these products is somewhat safe, but more monitoring is needed in the food cycle from farm to fork.