Abstract:
Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) are a global concern; recent researches have concluded that they are related to health risks caused by contaminated food intake. Although Cd contents in cocoa beans and their derivatives have been investigated, the relationship of Cd concentration with other metals such as nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) information is not available. Thus, this study uses a general approach to examine Cd, Ni, and Pb concentrations in cocoa beans from nine Ecuadorian provinces. It aims to determine a possible relationship between each metal content. As results, Ni was the most abundant reaching concentrations between 1.462 and 8.528 mg kg−1 (mean 3.930 mg kg−1), followed by Pb between 0.502 and 1.966 mg kg−1 (mean 1.432 mg kg−1) and Cd between 0.267 and 1.715 mg kg−1 (mean 0.753 mg kg−1). The regression analysis results (<0.2420746), the Pearson correlation coefficient values (<0.369) and variation inflation factors results (<1.319) do not demonstrate linear correlation or multivariate regression between each metal tested, thus it is not necessary to consider competition regarding metal intake by plants to develop successful remediation techniques. Nevertheless, the high values obtained should be considered by public health and commerce authorities for establishing permissible levels of Ni and Pb.