Cadmium and lead content of lupin seed grown in Western Australia

Abstract

The cadmium (Cd) concentration of 147 samples of commercial lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed from Western Australia ranged from <0.01 to 0.08 mg/kg as received. For 31 samples from Victoria and 25 samples from plant variety trials in South Australia and Western Australia the range was 0.01-0.06 mg Cd/kg. Only 12 samples contained >0.05 mg/kg, the maximum permitted by the National Food Authority for human consumption, and none contained >0.1 mg Cd/kg, the proposed Codex Alimentarius limit. The Cd concentration of 101 samples of various other grain legume seeds from around Australia ranged from <0.01 to 0.06 mg/kg, with 2 samples exceeding 0.05 mg/kg. There was no significant difference between lupins, field peas, and cereals in their concentration of Cd or lead (Pb) when grown at the same site. The Pb concentration of 143 samples of lupin seed from Western Australia, with a range of <0.01-0.25 mg/kg, was below the standard of 2.0 mg/kg for legume foods. This study indicates that problems are unlikely with Cd or Pb in lupin seed or other major grain legumes grown in Western Australia.