Determinación de cadmio y plomo en productos derivados de la caña: azúcar blanca, morena y panela, comercializados en Ecuador.
Fecha
2018
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Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de Guayaquil
Resumen
El plomo y el cadmio son elementos tóxicos que afectan la salud de las personas, principalmente cuando se ingieren en alimentos contaminados. Existen evidencias de contaminación por metales pesados en cultivos de caña y el jugo de caña. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar las concentraciones de Pb y Cd en caña de azúcar y sus productos derivados, comercializadas en Ecuador. Se analizaron muestras de caña para verificar el origen de la contaminación de los derivados. Se eligieron tres marcas de panela, azúcar blanco y morena de mayor consumo en el país. Se tomaron muestras por triplicado (n=3) de cada producto, de diferentes lotes y ciudades (Quito y Guayaquil). Se realizó el análisis por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Todas las marcas presentaron concentraciones de Cd por debajo del límite de detección (>0,1 mg/kg), a diferencia de la caña donde se encontraron concentraciones inferiores al límite permisible. Se detectó concentraciones de Pb en la caña (4,32±0,37 mg/Kg) y en la marca M1, evidenciando mayor concentración en la panela (2,3±1,04 mg/kg) y azúcar blanca (1,6±0,74 mg/kg) las cuales superaron los límites máximos de la normativa nacional e internacional. Por el contrario del azúcar morena (0,3±0,08 mg/kg) no superó los límites permisibles. Se determinó que la contaminación por Pb está directamente relacionada al uso de caña contaminada como materia prima y probablemente por el uso de aditivos químicos con Pb en el proceso de obtención del azúcar. Se planteó una propuesta para reducir la incidencia de metales pesados en el cultivo y proceso de productos de la caña de azúcar.
Lead and cadmium are toxic elements that affect the health of people, especially when ingested in contaminated food. There is evidence of contamination by heavy metals in cane crops and cane juice. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the concentrations of Pb and Cd in sugarcane and its derivative products, commercialized in Ecuador. Cane samples were analyzed to verify the origin of the contamination of derivatives. Three brands of raw cane sugar, white and brown sugar with the highest consumption in the country were chosen. Samples were taken in triplicate (n = 3) of each product, from different lots and cities (Quito and Guayaquil). The analysis was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All brands showed Cd concentrations below the limit of detection (> 0.1 mg / kg), unlike sugarcane where concentrations below the permissible limit were found. Pb concentrations were detected in cane (4.32 ± 0.37 mg / kg) and in the M1 brand, evidencing a higher concentration in raw cane sugar (2.3 ± 1.04 mg / kg) and white sugar (1, 6 ± 0.74 mg / kg) which exceeded the maximum limits of national and international regulations. On the other hand, brown sugar (0.3 ± 0.08 mg / kg) did not exceed the permissible limits. It was determined that Pb contamination is directly related to the use of contaminated cane as a raw material and probably due to the use of chemical additives with Pb in the process of obtaining sugar. A proposal was made to reduce the incidence of heavy metals in the cultivation and processing of sugarcane products.
Lead and cadmium are toxic elements that affect the health of people, especially when ingested in contaminated food. There is evidence of contamination by heavy metals in cane crops and cane juice. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the concentrations of Pb and Cd in sugarcane and its derivative products, commercialized in Ecuador. Cane samples were analyzed to verify the origin of the contamination of derivatives. Three brands of raw cane sugar, white and brown sugar with the highest consumption in the country were chosen. Samples were taken in triplicate (n = 3) of each product, from different lots and cities (Quito and Guayaquil). The analysis was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All brands showed Cd concentrations below the limit of detection (> 0.1 mg / kg), unlike sugarcane where concentrations below the permissible limit were found. Pb concentrations were detected in cane (4.32 ± 0.37 mg / kg) and in the M1 brand, evidencing a higher concentration in raw cane sugar (2.3 ± 1.04 mg / kg) and white sugar (1, 6 ± 0.74 mg / kg) which exceeded the maximum limits of national and international regulations. On the other hand, brown sugar (0.3 ± 0.08 mg / kg) did not exceed the permissible limits. It was determined that Pb contamination is directly related to the use of contaminated cane as a raw material and probably due to the use of chemical additives with Pb in the process of obtaining sugar. A proposal was made to reduce the incidence of heavy metals in the cultivation and processing of sugarcane products.
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CADMIO, PLOMO, AZÚCAR, CONTAMINACIÓN, SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA