Trace metal contents in chewing gums and candies marketed in Turkey

Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cr and Cd contents were determined in 17 different brands of chewing gum and candy samples available in local markets of Kayseri, Turkey. Concentration of selected trace metals were estimated using flame atomic absorption spectrometer after dry and wet digestion methods. Out of 17 brands of chewing gums and candies analysed, four were cocoa based, two were sugar based and other were of fruit based. Copper level ranged from 0.219 to 2.455 mu g/g with an average of 1.390 mu g/g. Nickel ranged from 0.120 to 2.588 mu g/g with an average of 0.846 mu g/g. Lead level ranged from 0.031 to 2.46 mu g/g with an average of 0.746 mu g/g. Iron level ranged from 3.963 to 9.863 mu g/g with an average of 6.618 mu g/g. Manganese level ranged from 1.872 to 5.067 mu g/g with an average of 3.196 mu g/g. Chromium ranged from 0.740 to 6.265 mu g/g with an average of 2.473 mu g/g and cadmium level ranged from 0.027 to 0.825 mu g/g with an average of 0.296 mu g/g. Cocoa based samples were found to have higher contents of the analysed metals than sugar and fruit based samples.