Toxic and essential elements in conventional and home-produced eggs by ICP-MS analysis

Concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Mn, Pb, Se, Sr, V, Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn and Mo were determined in conventional and home-produced eggs as sold in Brazil. Thirty-four conventional and 21 home-produced samples were obtained in different Brazilian cities. Elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Pb, Se, Fe, Zn and Mo in conventional and home-produced eggs differed (statistically significant). Correlations were found among the other elements in both production systems. The estimated daily intake for toxic elements based on Brazilian egg consumption did not exceed the toxicological reference values. The results clearly demonstrated that eggs are an important source of essential elements such as Mo, Fe, Se and Zn.