Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in coffee: a comprehensive review of toxicity, prevalence, and analytical techniques

Int J Environ Health Res. 2024 Jan;34(1):367-384. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2149712. Epub 2022 Nov 22.

Abstract

Coffee is one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages, consumed as a raw material in different food sectors. The popularity of coffee is induced by its pleasant flavor, taste, and highly nutritious nature. However, the absorption of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) through preharvest, harvesting, and post-harvest stages makes it a potentially rich source. Essential elements are potentially toxic at a higher concentration than required for the human body to work. PTEs intake through food systems may lead to health risks, including mutagenicity, teratogenicity, carcinogenicity, and embryotoxic effects. Different analytical techniques such as spectroscopy, electromigration, and electrochemical. are used for PTEs content determination of coffee. Considering the importance of PTEs in human health and the worldwide popularity of coffee, their monitoring of coffee is crucial. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the classification, prevalence, and determination techniques of PTEs in different coffee types.

Keywords: Coffee; determination; potentially toxic elements (PTEs); prevalence; safety.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Coffee
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Humans
  • Metals, Heavy* / analysis
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Soil / chemistry
  • Soil Pollutants* / analysis

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Coffee
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Soil