Analysis and Evaluation of Trace Elements in Iranian Olive Samples Using ICP-OES

One of the concerns faced by many countries, especially developing countries, is the presence of heavy metals in water, air and food, which directly and indirectly cause adverse effects on human health through inhalation and ingestion. Rudbar city is suitable for growing olives due to its climatic conditions, and most of the people living in the area use this product in their meals. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of heavy metals manganese, iron, copper, zinc (Zn), lead and cadmium in the olives of this area. For this purpose, 13 olive samples were selected and their heavy metal concentration was measured by ICP-OES device. The results indicated that the concentrations of cadmium, lead, manganese, iron, Zn and copper in the samples of Guilan olives were 0.056 ± 0.019, 0.564 ± 0.170, 2.017 ± 0.211, 7.577 ± 1.312, 1.846 ± 0.387 and 4.147 ± 0.901, respectively. Also, in the imported samples it was 0.065 ± 0.014, 0.494 ± 0.153, 1.295 ± 0.353, 3.465 ± 1.066, 1.357. 0.412 and 4.103 ± 1.335, respectively. Except for one, the amount of lead in all Iranian samples was less than the allowable level. It was also observed that except for lead, the concentration of all metals in foreign samples was lower than Iranian samples. Since olives are one of the most popular food items in the area and considered by travelers, continuous monitoring of the heavy metals in this food is essential.