Human health risk assessment and concentration of Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Rb, and REEs in chocolate

Abstract

This study aimed to determine trace element concentrations in chocolates with cocoa percentages ranging from ≤40 % to 92 %, and to assess nutritional risk based on estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ). Thirty-two samples were analyzed for Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Rb, and rare earth elements using ICP-MS. The highest concentrations were found for Fe (438.23 mg kg⁻¹), Cd (672.69 μg kg⁻¹), and Ce (114.76 μg kg⁻¹) in chocolates with 80–82 % cocoa. The maximum EDI values for Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se were 0.02, 0.78, 0.15, 0.03, and ≤0.0004 mg kg⁻¹ BW day⁻¹, respectively, in samples with 82 % and 95 % cocoa. The highest EDI values for Al and Rb were 0.04 and 0.19 mg kg⁻¹ BW day⁻¹, whereas for As, Cd, Hg, and Pb reached 0.02, 0.27, 0.01, and 0.03 μg kg⁻¹ BW day⁻¹, respectively, in chocolates with 70 % and 82 % cocoa, posing a human health risk. THQ values for Al, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Rb were <1. Principal component analysis showed a correlation between cocoa content, element concentration, and cocoa origin. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring both elemental concentrations and cocoa percentages to minimize toxic element exposure.