[Determination of copper, lead and zinc in fruit preserves]

Copper, lead and zinc content in canned fruit manufactured in Moldavia in 1979 and 1980 was determined by polarography and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. The authors developed a method for determining the above trace elements in one sample using an atomic-absorption spectrophotometer. The errors of each method were calculated. It was ascertained that the data obtained by both the methods were identical. Analysis of the data indicates that the content of copper, lead and zinc is within the standards approved by the USSR Ministry of Health. The data obtained in the studies can be used in both toxicological work on setting standards of heavy metals content in canned food and in the tables of the chemical composition of canned food. The methods for copper, lead and zinc determination can be used as the basis for the development of standard procedures for heavy metals.