Trace metal contents in chewing gums and candies marketed in Turkey

Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cr and Cd contents were determined in 17 different brands of chewing gum and candy samples available in local markets of Kayseri, Turkey. Concentration of selected trace metals were estimated using flame atomic absorption spectrometer after dry and wet digestion methods. Out of 17 brands of chewing gums and candies analysed, four were cocoa based, two were sugar based and other were of fruit based. Copper level ranged from 0.219 to 2.455 μg/g with an average of 1.390 μg/g. Nickel ranged from 0.120 to 2.588 μg/g with an average of 0.846 μg/g. Lead level ranged from 0.031 to 2.46 μg/g with an average of 0.746 μg/g. Iron level ranged from 3.963 to 9.863 μg/g with an average of 6.618 μg/g. Manganese level ranged from 1.872 to 5.067 μg/g with an average of 3.196 μg/g. Chromium ranged from 0.740 to 6.265 μg/g with an average of 2.473 μg/g and cadmium level ranged from 0.027 to 0.825 μg/g with an average of 0.296 μg/g. Cocoa based samples were found to have higher contents of the analysed metals than sugar and fruit based samples.