Multi-element analysis of tea beverages by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

The metal content of several tea beverages, infusions, instant and tea soft drinks was determined. Eleven metals Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES). A study of the differences in the metal contents of tea beverages has been carried out. Pattern recognition techniques such as principal components analysis and linear discriminant analysis were used to discriminate between the tea beverages. The metal intake related to tea consumption has also been studied.