The contents of heavy metals in Serbian old plum brandies

Seven elements, namely, arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese were determined in 31 samples of Serbian plum brandies by application of atomic spectrometry techniques. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the quantification of copper, iron, zinc, manganese, lead and cadmium, and hydride generation atomic spectrometry absorption for arsenic quantification. The measured concentrations of the heavy metals and arsenic were assessed according to Serbian regulations, official regulations of some other countries and in respect to the content of microelements in other similar distilled alcoholic beverages. The amounts of microelements in the maximal recommended daily and weekly intake of plum brandy were determined. The influence of production (home made or industrial), type of wooden barrel (oak or mulberry), and duration of ageing process on the content of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in plum brandies, as well as the coefficient of correlation between the Cu content and pH value were also studied.