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The Level of Heavy Metal in Fresh and Processed Fruits: A Study Meta-analysis, Systematic Review, and Health Risk Assessment

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Abstract

Intake of fruits is important for health. However, it can be a contamination source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The present study aimed to investigate the concentration of PTEs such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and Iron (Fe) in various fresh and processed fruits. All the studies related to the concentration of PTEs in fresh and processed fruits by international databases including were included and non-carcinogenic risks assessment was evaluated based on the total hazard quotient (TTHQ). According to findings highest concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were observed in pineapple, mango, and cherry, while the lowest concentrations of these metals were found in berries, pineapple, and berries. Regarding trace elements, peach and cucumber represented the highest and lowest concentrations of Fe, respectively. Moreover, the highest and lowest concentrations of Cu were related to plum and banana, respectively. Considering the type of continents, the highest concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, and Cu among fresh and processed fruits belonged to Pan American Health Organization (EMRO), EMRO, African Region (AFRO), European Region (EURO), AFRO, and Western Pacific Region (SEARO). Eventually, the non-carcinogenic risk assessment of the heavy metal in fresh and processed fruits indicated that the risk pattern was different in various countries and the calculated TTHQ level in infants was below 1. Overall, the consumption of fresh and processed fruits is safe and does not pose a risk to the health of consumers.

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Funding

The authors received financial support for this research from the Deputy of Research and Technology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Medicine, Nutrition Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Mahtab Einolghozati

  2. Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan, Hamadan, Iran

    Elaheh Talebi-Ghane

  3. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Mohammad Khazaei

  4. Nutrition Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

    Fereshteh Mehri

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  1. Mahtab Einolghozati
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  2. Elaheh Talebi-Ghane
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  3. Mohammad Khazaei
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  4. Fereshteh Mehri
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All participants provided written informed consent. M.E participates in the process of doing work, E.G Participation in statistical work and F.M participate in the process of doing work and writing article.

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Correspondence to Fereshteh Mehri.

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Einolghozati, M., Talebi-Ghane, E., Khazaei, M. et al. The Level of Heavy Metal in Fresh and Processed Fruits: A Study Meta-analysis, Systematic Review, and Health Risk Assessment. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 2582–2596 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03332-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03332-1

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