Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Investigative research into cadmium levels of cocoa beans in Trinidad and Tobago

International Conference on Food Safety and Regulatory Measures

August 17-19, 2015 Birmingham, UK

Gideon Ramtahal

The University of the West Indies, West Indies

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

With-in the recent years, continued export of Trinidad and Tobagoâ??s fine or flavor cocoa beans may be affected by increasingly stringent international regulations; governing its safety with contaminants such as cadmium. A preliminary survey of cadmium in cocoa tissues including cocoa beans and soil from Trinidad and Tobago has been completed. This study has confirmed that beans from some areas failed to meet proposed standards for cadmium. Significant correlations of cadmium concentration between cocoa beans, other cocoa tissues and soil were observed, with some findings having implications for food safety assessments. Additionally, several possible sources of cadmium contamination of local cocoa beans have been identified. Subsequent treatment methods needed to minimize cadmium uptake and accumulation in cocoa beans were applied and evaluated with promising results.

Biography :

Gideon Ramtahal completed his PhD in Analytical Chemistry at the University of the West Indies. His PhD was centered on the investigation of heavy metal levels in cocoa beans in Trinidad and Tobago and later focused on cadmium. He is avidly working on his publications and is currently pursuing Post-doctoral research in the remediation of cadmium in cocoa at the Cocoa Research Centre.

Email: gtahal@hotmail.com