Farzaneh Abdolmaleki, Marjaneh Sedaghati and Leila Nateghi
Tea is one of the traditional and healthy drinks consumed enormously too many parts of the world. This nonalcoholic beverage is the most appropriate for its vitality and refreshing effects. The elemental content (K, Mn, Cu, Ni, Na, Cd and Pb) were determined in the black tea from the tea districts of north Iran such as Foman, Rasht, Shaft, Lahijan, Siahkal, Langerud, Rudsar, Amlash and Tonkabon state. Black tea samples were analyzed for 7 metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of this study revealed that the level of Na and K content in all experimental black teas were in the range 32.3-74.3 μg/g and 17.3–23.2 mg/g, respectively. The Mn contents observed in the range 682 and 731 mg/kg and copper range was between 23.43 and 33.60 mg/kg. The Lead content in the samples was found as in the range of 0.20 and 0.43 mg/ kg. Nickel amount in black tea leaves ranged between 2.30 and 3.68 mg/ kg. Fortunately total concentrations of Cd in all the tea leaf samples were too low to be detected by the analytical technique used in this research. The results of evaluation of tea indicated the amount of elemental content in all sample were completely lower than acceptable limit according to the international standards.
