Lemon Juice and Ascorbic Acid Effect on the Metals Extraction from Chamomile, Human Risk Assessment.

Abstract

The total content of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in chamomile sample, metals content in water chamomile infusions and water infusions with additions of ascorbic acid and lemon juice at different temperatures (70, 80, and 100 °C) and steeping times (3, 5, and 7 min), were determined. The content of heavy metals was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Mean total concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 0.563, 0.624, 0.254, 8.277, 32.17, 113.5, 5.102, 3.470, 30.34 μg/g, respectively. Mn, Ni and Zn were mostly extracted in pure water, up to 100%, while lemon juice showed a significant role in the extraction of Cd, Fe and Pb. Fe was relatively poor extracted in all infusions, the highest Fe extraction percentages were obtained with the addition of lemon juice (4.07-25.7%), at all applied temperatures. For most metals, the lowest extraction percentages were obtained with the addition of ascorbic acid. Non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) was less than 1 for analyzed metals in all infusions, for adults and children.