[Ten element contents and their distribution in fruits determinated by atomic absorption spectrometry].
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Laboratory food composition analysis without human subjects (graded by design analogy)
What was done
Researchers measured the contents and distributions of ten elements (Zn, Cu, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Se) in fruit samples. Samples were digested using a wet method. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine lead, cadmium, chromium, and selenium.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical concentrations. Lead levels in grapes, dried jujubes, and papaya were close to but lower than standard pollutant limits. Chromium contents in Guoguang apples, pears, dry jujubes, and cherry tomatoes exceeded standard limits. Copper contents in grapes and dry jujubes exceeded standard limits, whereas zinc contents were below standard limits. Selenium was detected in Guoguang apples, bananas, pears, dry jujubes, papaya, and pomelo. Calcium was highest in papaya; magnesium and manganese were highest in dry jujubes; potassium was higher in dry jujubes, pomelo, and cherry tomato. Across fruit parts, element levels were highest in seeds, intermediate in the skin/peel, and lowest in the pulp.
Why it matters
This work demonstrates that mineral nutrients and heavy metals accumulate preferentially in fruit seeds and peels rather than the edible pulp.
Limits
The abstract provides no numerical data, sample size of fruits tested, standard limit values, or geographic origin of the samples.
Cited by
- supports The majority of the magnesium in a banana is concentrated in the peel rather than the fruit pulp.