A Comparative Study on Mineral Contents of Soybean by Two Methods of Digestion Using ICP-OES Technique: A Risk Assessment Study

Introduction: In recent years, the contamination of food with heavy metals has received much attention. Plants can absorb metal pollutants through contaminated water, soil, and air. Materials and Methods: In the current study, accumulation of minerals in three types of soybeans was investigated by wet and dry digestion methods using ICP-OES technique. Thereafter, the metals' health risk was assessed by estimated daily intake, toxic hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) values. Results: According to the results, the concentrations of Cr, Se, Ca, Fe, Mo, Mn, and Mg in soybean seeds were ۰.۰۳۴-۱۷۰.۸۸ mg/kg, ۰.۲۱-۲۴۳.۷۹ mg//kg, ۲.۵۰-۳۳.۳۷ mg/kg, ۰.۰۵-۰.۸۶ mg/kg, ۰.۰۷۱-۲۰۳.۵۷ mg/kg, ۰-۰.۴۷ mg/kg, and ۲.۶۹-۱۹.۳۱ mg/kg, respectively. The ashing method had a better performance in determining Ca, Fe, Mo, Mn, and Mg concentrations than the wet digestion method. The THQ rates were below ۱ for the three varieties of each mineral element, but the HI values of variety ۲ and variety ۳ were higher than ۱ in both methods. Conclusion: Furthermore, continuous monitoring of the soybeans' mineral and heavy metal contents seems necessary.

Keywords:

Soybean , Digestion Method , ICP-OES , Risk Assessment.