Effects of processing on five selected metals in the durum wheat food chain

Milling was the key process influencing the concentrations of the studied elements and reduced the metal levels according to a definite element-specific pattern. Purity of the water used as ingredient, element deposition from plant air and metal release from equipment were identified as critical issues in contamination control during processing. In the conditions of this study, it was found that a simple relationship can be established between the original concentrations in durum wheat grain and those in pasta for Cd and Fe, while for Pb, Cr and Ni, a greater uncertainty in the estimation of the levels in the final product is expected.