[On the iron contamination in cocoa and chocolate products (author's transl)]. 1978

J A Wijsman

The investigation in question deals with the iron contamination in cocoa and chocolate products. Semi finished goods as well as finished products were examined. An average of 29 mg/kg total iron (i.e. ionic + metallic iron) was found in cocoabeans. The iron content of cocoa shells was approximately 10 fold higher. The process of grinding roasted nibs to cocoa-mass (liquor) resulted in a noticeable increase of the quantity of iron to an average amount of 150 mg/kg mass. This process thus produced an increase of the iron content of approximately 75 to as much as 200%. The cocoa powders contained more iron (238 mg/kg) than the cocoa mass, which linked to a reduction of the fat content by pressing and by grinding of the presscake. The quantities of iron observed in commercial samples of cocoa powder from different countries did not show appreciable differences.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007501 Iron A metallic element with atomic symbol Fe, atomic number 26, and atomic weight 55.85. It is an essential constituent of HEMOGLOBINS; CYTOCHROMES; and IRON-BINDING PROTEINS. It plays a role in cellular redox reactions and in the transport of OXYGEN. Iron-56,Iron 56
D002099 Cacao A tree of the family MALVACEAE, order MALVALES, whose seeds are processed to yield cocoa and CHOCOLATE. Cocoa Plant,Theobroma,Theobroma cacao,Plant, Cocoa
D005506 Food Contamination The presence in food of harmful, unpalatable, or otherwise objectionable foreign substances, e.g. chemicals, microorganisms or diluents, before, during, or after processing or storage. Food Adulteration,Adulteration, Food,Adulterations, Food,Contamination, Food,Contaminations, Food,Food Adulterations,Food Contaminations

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