Contenido de plomo y cadmio en aceites de girasol

We have studied the lead and cadmium content in 21 samples of sunflower oil from Andalucia (Southern Spain). These elements are toxicological importance and the sunflower oil is widely consumed in Spain. Samples were mineralized with nitric acid and vanadium pentoxide as catalyst, and ana lyzed using electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectroscopy. The temperature-time programme for the graphite furnace was optimized for each element, and the accuracy, precision, sensitivity and detection limit of the method were evaluated. Concentrations of lead ranged from not detectable to 167.58 μg/kg and cadmium concentrations ranged from 0.87 to 8.30 μg/kg. The data obtained are not excessive and similar to those mentioned by other authors; however, one sample of the total analyzed surpassed the limit of 0.1 ppm of lead proposed by the Spanish and European Legislation. A statistical significative correlation has been established between Pb and Cd levels (p < 0.05). The contribution of the sunflower oil to Pb and Cd dietary intake has been estimated as 0.84 and 0.09 μg/day, respectively.