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

Article Article scientifique Article Human health risk assessment and concentration of Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Rb, and REEs in chocolate eng 2025-12 author Pedron Tatiana Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Postal Code, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil; Department F.A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 boulevard Carl-Vogt, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland. Electronic address: t.pedron@ufabc.edu.br. 429303 author Cristine Augusto Caroline Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Postal Code, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil. author Carvalho Silva Gabrieli Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Postal Code, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil. author Cezar Valeriano Maycom Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Postal Code, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil. author Benicia Mamián-López Mónica Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Postal Code, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil. author Slaveykova Vera 0000-0002-8361-2509 Department F.A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 boulevard Carl-Vogt, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland. 510054 Forel Communs (FOREL) author Lemos Batista Bruno Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Postal Code, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil. 115770 10.1016/j.fct.2025.115770 41022362 0278-6915 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0278691525005381 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. Chemometrics Cocoa bars ICP-MS Rare earth elements Trace elements Dewey 550 Dewey 333.7-333.9 Coordination for the improvement of Higher Education Personnel National Council for Scientific and Technological Development 405087/2021-7 State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation 2023/15925-1 18 Institut des sciences de l'environnement 0DB 41 Département F.-A. Forel des sciences de l'environnement et de l'eau 153 false 752 Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology 938 ISE Pôle Sciences 944 ISE Eau Food and chemical toxicology 206 9b775232-a533-43ee-8103-990569bd5900 Article (Published version) Restricted 1-s2.0-S0278691525005381-main.pdf 2061063 application/pdf d4fa1ee9bc646026e8eda9caea38e113b3fa451a90fc0622e5785119bee64505 restrictedAccess Centres et instituts / Institut des sciences de l'environnement Faculté des sciences / Section des sciences de la Terre et de l'Environnement / Département F.-A. Forel des sciences de l'environnement et de l'eau

Title	Published in	Access level	OA Policy	Year	Views	Downloads

Human health risk assessment and concentration of Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Rb, and REEs in chocolate	Food and chemical toxicology			2025	15	0

Archive ouverte UNIGE

Pedron, Tatiana