摘要：In this study, the levels of six heavy metals namely: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were determined in cocoa beans from four major cocoa-growing regions of Ghana, viz Ashanti, Western, Eastern and Central Regions. Samples were digested with aqua regia acid mixture and atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for the determination of the metals. The method of determination was validated by analyzing two standard reference materials and levels measured compared favourably with repo rted values. Analysis of the heavy metal concentrations generally showed the following pattern: Fe≈Mn≈Zn≈Cu>>Cd>Pb in beans from Western and Ashanti Regions while those from Central and Eastern Region was Zn>Fe>Cu≈Mn>>Cd>Pb . The concentrations expressed in μg g -1 varied from 0.003 to 0.095 for Pd, 0.005 to 0.095 for Cd, 10.47 to 55.17 for Cu, 0.50 to 72.36 for Fe, 4.45 to 72.64 for Mn and 24.05 to 68.25 for Zn. Analysis of the data by variance showed that the difference in concentrations are statistically insignificant (P>0.05) suggesting that the metals might have reached the study areas through the same sources.The levels of the metals detected in this study are, however, below the Codex Alimentaruis'maximum levels in fruits and vegetables and maximum permissible levels for cocoa powder and cocoa mass suggesting that their presence may notpose serious health hazard in the cocoa beans.
