Factors Affecting Transfer of the Heavy Metals Arsenic, Lead, and Cadmium from Diatomaceous-Earth Filter Aids to Alcoholic Beverages during Laboratory-Scale Filtration

Abstract

Filtration methods for alcoholic fermented beverages often use filter aids such as diatomaceous earth (DE), which may contain elevated amounts of the heavy metals arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). Here, we evaluated factors affecting transfer of these heavy metals from DE to beer and wine. A laboratory-scale filtration system was used to process unfiltered ale, lager, red wine, and white wine with three types of food-grade DE. Filtrate and DE were analyzed for heavy metals using ICP-MS, in addition to LC-ICP-MS for As-speciation analysis. Use of 2 g/L DE containing 5.4 mg/kg soluble inorganic As (iAs) for filtering beer and wine resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases of 11.2–13.7 μg/L iAs in the filtered beverage. There was a significant (p < 0.05) effect from the DE quantity used in filtration on the transfer of iAs in all beverage types, whereas no alterations were observed for Pb and Cd levels. Methods to wash DE using water, citric acid, or EDTA all significantly (p < 0.05) reduced iAs concentrations, whereas only EDTA significantly reduced Pb levels. Cd concentrations were not affected by any wash method. These data indicate that specific steps can be taken to limit heavy-metal transfer from DE filter aids to beer and wine.

Industrial-Scale Decontamination Procedure Effects on the Content of Acaricides, Heavy Metals and Antioxidant Capacity of Beeswax

“…Furthermore, arsenic may represent around 0.2 to 0.5% of diatomaceous earth composition [29]. The transfer of arsenic that occurs during the filtration process with diatomaceous earth of alcoholic beverages has been described [30]. These authors [30] suggest the reduction of the transfer of As by selecting diatomaceous earth with low concentration of heavy metals and even pre-washing the filter before its use to filter the studied matrix.…”

“…The transfer of arsenic that occurs during the filtration process with diatomaceous earth of alcoholic beverages has been described [30]. These authors [30] suggest the reduction of the transfer of As by selecting diatomaceous earth with low concentration of heavy metals and even pre-washing the filter before its use to filter the studied matrix. The concentrations of Si and As in the filtered waxes are within the healthy intake ranges established in the guidelines for tolerable intakes issued by the European Food Safety Authority [31].…”

Heavy metal and essential elements in beers from turkey market: A risk assessment study

“…DE has the ability to remove particles from beer and, at the same time, do not affect the color and flavor of the product. Redan et al 14 identified As in three kinds of food-grade DE.…”

Wine traceability and authenticity: approaches for geographical origin, variety and vintage assessment

“…However, the possibility of observing changes in Ca, Al and Ga profile between must and wine should be considered; during the vinification process, these elements are subject to fluctuations, the intensity of which is often unpredictable. The Ca concentration varies as a consequence of calcium tartrate insolubility and consequently, precipitation can occur during both vinification and wine storage; the other two are part of a larger group of contaminant elements, the concentration of which is strongly affected by sulfur dioxide addition and/or by oenological practices such as bentonite fining and filtration (Catarino et al, 2008a,b;Redan et al, 2019).…”