Quantification of inorganic constituents in Brazil nuts and their products by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se and Zn in Brazil nuts and their products (almonds, cookies and oil), which are often consumed in Belem-PA. Samples were digested using diluted oxidant mixture in a microwave oven and macronutrients (Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Na and P) and micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES). Concentration ranges (mu g g(-1)) of the selected elements were compared with those reported in other studies. The accuracy of the analytical procedure was evaluated using an addition and recovery study, and recoveries were within an acceptable range from 81 to 111%. The LOD and LOQ varied from 0.02 to 19.4 and 0.08-64.8 mu g g(-1), respectively. The results show large concentrations of macronutrients ranging from 142 to 6708 mu g g(-1). Micronutrient levels ranged from 0.1 to 151 mu g g(-1). The results indicated that there was a wide variation in levels of the studied elements depending on the type of sample.