Survey of lead and copper in Turkish raisins

Abstract

Lead and copper levels in various types of Turkish raisins, collected from the most important production centers, were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Samples were principally the products of 2005; however, two different and important raisin types produced between 2003 and 2006 were also analyzed. To investigate the source of pollution, the lead and copper content of all samples were separately determined after successive treatment with water, then with acetone and, finally, complete decomposition in a HNO(3)/H(2)SO(4)/H(2)O(2) mixture. Metal levels in raisin seeds were also determined. The results were statistically evaluated, indicating that the raisins taken from different regions and years contained a mean (range) of 0.056 (0.012-0.359) mg kg(-1) lead and 2.542 (0.770-4.706) mg kg(-1) copper. Lead concentrations in Turkish raisins were significantly lower than those found in a previous study.