Cadmium in food: Source, distribution and removal

Abstract

Since its discovery, cadmium (Cd) has played an important role in industry and brought certain conveniences to mankind, used for electroplating and making rechargeable batteries, etc. Cd is also a harmful pollutant, which will enter the food chain and cause damage to human tissues and organs. Food is the main source of Cd in the human body, so various technologies for removing Cd from food have been studied. These technologies are based on the binding mechanism between Cd and proteins. In this work, the enrichment of Cd and the harm of Cd are described. And the binding mechanism between Cd and protein is summarized. Finally, the removal technologies of Cd are prospected. This review analyzes the methods of removing cadmium from food from the perspective of the combination of cadmium and protein, which provides insights for ensuring food safety and reducing the harm of heavy metals to the human body.

Keywords: Binding mechanism between cadmium and protein; Cadmium accumulation; Cadmium hazard; Cadmium removal; Separation and purification.