Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: Technologies and Challenges in Elemental Analysis of Food Samples
Published on: December 22, 2023
Toxic metal levels in cocoa powder and chocolate by ICP-MS method after microwave-assisted digestion
Gianluigi Maria Lo Dico1, Fabio Galvano2, Giacomo Dugo3
1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
Abstract:
The Commission Regulation (EC) Regulation N. 488/2014, established the concentration limits for cadmium in specific products based on cocoa and chocolate products as from January 2019. Based on this information there is a need to determine ultratrace levels of elements that might be presents in cocoa and chocolate products. In this work, the concentrations of Arsenic, Antimony, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Selenium and Vanadium were evaluated in cocoa powder and chocolate by the validation of an ICP-MS method. Good selectivity/specificity, recovery, repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility, LOD, LOQ, range of linearity, standard measurement uncertainty parameters for method validation were achieved, in accordance with Commission Regulation. The cocoa powder revealed the maximum metal concentrations of 0.303 ± 0.035 mg/kg for cadmium, 1.228 ± 0.146 mg/kg for lead and 0.094 ± 0.013 mg/kg for arsenic. A significant difference was found between cocoa powder and chocolate samples (p < .05).
Related Concept Videos
Introduction and Methods of Leveling
Carbohydrate Digestion
What is Monogastric Digestion?
Alkali Metals
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals
Lipid Digestion
Protein Digestion

