Evaluation of Trace Elements in Wheat and Wheat By-Products

Abstract Wheat and wheat by-products from Pakistan were analyzed to study the concentrations of 21 essential or toxic elements. Neutron activation analysis in combination with atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to determine the concentrations of Al, As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn. Our results were compared to results reported from other countries. The weekly human intakes of toxic trace elements from wheat flour samples collected in Pakistan were estimated. These calculations were then compared to the World Health Organization’s suggested weekly tolerance levels of each element. Also, global distribution patterns for certain of these trace elements in wheat flour were discovered.