DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

SKA3023

INSTRUMENTATION ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

LABORATORY REPORT

EXPERIMENT 2: DETERMINATION OF METALS IN COMMERCIAL FOOD SAMPLE

NURSAIYIDAH BINTI ABDUL RON

(D2016103948)

NAME AND MATRIC NO ANIS NABILAH BINTI MUHD NOOR

‘ASHIKHI
(D20161073928)

LECTURER’S NAME PROF. DR. ILLYAS BIN MD ISA

GROUP A
OBJECTIVE

1. To determine the type of metals in commercial food sample by using flame Atomic
Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).
2. To determine the amount of metals in commercial food sample using flame AAS.

INTRODUCTION

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is an analytical laboratory technique that converts the
analyte of study onto a gaseous state for quantitative determination of chemical species, by
using the Beer-Lambert law. Referring to quantum principle, an atom at ground state absorb
a discrete amount of electromagnetic radiation before excited to a higher state of energy. Each
element will absorb the radiation in the form of a wavelength, and has its own corresponding
wavelength thus giving AAS has a great degree of selectivity. When the free atoms is excited
via optical radiation using a special hollow-cathode lamp containing the interest. Even, there
is some advantage of using AAS such as it is easy to be used, however this instrument can
only be used for quantitative analysis of an element and AAS relies on the nebulization of the
analyte which means that only solution can be analysed.
DATA

Element present in the *Concentration in ppm Mass (mg/g)

sample. (Mean)
Copper (Cu) 0.176 0.176𝑚𝑔
Cu = x 0.025L
𝐿
= 4.40x10-3mg/g
In every 1g of sample, there
are 4.4x10-3mg of Cu
present.

Cadmium (Cd) 0.263 0.263𝑚𝑔

Cd = x 0.025L
𝐿
= 6.58x10-3mg/g
In every 1g of sample, there
are 6.58x10-3mg of Cd
present.

Lead (Pb) 0.118 0.118𝑚𝑔

Pb = x 0.025L
𝐿
= 2.95x10-3mg/g
In every 1g of sample, there
are 2.95x10-3mg of Pb
present.

*(refer attachment)
DISCUSSION

By using flame AAS, there are three types of metal has been identified for this
experiment in Nestum (commercial food sample) which are copper, cadmium and lead. The
actual amount of copper, cadmium and lead in 1g food sample is 0.176ppm, 0.263ppm and
0.118ppm respectively. From calculation, in every 1g of sample, there are 4.4x10-3mg of Cu,
6.58x10-3mg of Cd and 2.95x10-3mg of Pb present. However according to the nutrition
information on the food sample, these elements are not been mentioned their quantity.

Based on Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements

(2006), Copper functions as a component of several metalloenzymes, which act as oxidases
in the reduction of molecular oxygen. Some of the principal copper metalloenzymes found in
human body include the following:

- Diamine oxidase, which inactivates the histamine released during allergic reactions
- Monoamine oxidase which is important in serotonin degradation and the metabolism
dopamine.
- Ferroxidases, which are copper enzyme found in the plasma and function in ferrous
iron oxidation to bind iron to transferrin.

Sources of copper include in organ meats, nuts and whole-grain products such as Nestum,
our food sample for this experiment. The recommended amount of copper a day by United
State Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 0.9mg.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the safe level amount of Cd intakes
is below than 1microgram/kg of body weight per day. Smoking is a significant additional source
of cadmium exposure in human after food and water. Excess amount of cadmium accumulate
in body can be toxic especially to kidney.

For Pb in daily diet, there is no known safe blood lead concentration. Even blood Pb
concentration as low as 5microgram/dL, once thought to be a “safe level” may be associated
with decreased intelligence in children, behavioural difficulties and learning problem. These
show that, Pb intake in human diet only will be safe in a small amount. Pb is a naturally
occurring element whose toxicity in human. Once Pb enter the body, it distributed to organs
such as brain, kidney, liver and bones. Pb stored in bone may be remobilized onto the blood
during pregnancy. Higher levels of Pb can damage kidneys and nervous system in children
and adults. Very high lead levels may cause seizures, unconsciousness and death.

Thus, based on these amount of element found in Nestum, we can conclude that the
amount of Cu, Cd and Pb are still below the harm level and safe to be taken daily.
CONCLUSION

From the experiment, the types of element that can be found in commercial food
sample (Nestum) by using flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is copper, cadmium
and lead. The amount of metal in 1g food sample using flame AAS is copper, cadmium and
lead is 0.176ppm, 0.263ppm and 0.118ppm respectively. These amount is still safe to be taken
based on WHO and USDA recommendation.

REFERENCES

Read "Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements" at

NAP.edu. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/11537/chapter/34#305
“How much copper do we need? Can we get it from food?” (2018, March 15). Retrieved from
https://calmerme.com/much-copper-need-can-get-food/ / (copper)

Lead poisoning and health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-

sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health