Journal of food science and technology(Iran)

Journal of food science and technology(Iran)

Evaluation the level of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb in instant coffee available in Iraqi market

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Enas Jabbar Hasan 1
Samer Muhi Taha 2
1 Science Department, basic education College, University of Al-Mustansiriya, Iraq
2 Department of Fields Crops, College of Agriculture, Al- Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq.
10.48311/fsct.2026.120622.83148
Abstract
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It contains many micronutrients, such as zinc, manganese, copper, and iron, but may also contain toxic metals like cadmium and lead, which have harmful effects as a result of their accumulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of some trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb) in instant coffee available in Iraqi markets and to assess the potential health risks associated with their consumption. This study included sixteen commercial brands of instant coffee samples (one sample per brand, with three replicates per sample) collected from Iraqi markets between July and October 2025. Element levels were estimated using a Shimadzu AA-646 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) . All samples were prepared in triplicate and results are reported as mean ± standard deviation. The levels of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb ranged between (1.00–1.9) μg/g, (7.81–10.3) μg/g, (37.8–44.6) μg/g, and (0.008–0.018) μg/g, respectively. All concentrations of these elements, except iron, were within the permissible limits established by Iraqi Standard Specifications (No. 1447, 1999) and international guidelines (WHO/FAO). The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and cancer risk (CR) for Pb indicated no significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks for consumers at typical consumption levels. However, the elevated iron levels in all samples warrant further investigation.
Keywords
instant coffee
trace elements
permissible level
heavy metal
Subjects
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