Determination of metals in bottled coconut water using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer

• Published in: Journal of food composition and analysis 2005-08, Vol.18 (5), p.399-408
• Main Authors: de Sousa, Rafael A., Silva, Júlio C.J., Baccan, Nivaldo, Cadore, Solange
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; bottles; calcium; chemical analysis; Coconut water; coconuts; Cocos nucifera; copper; dietary minerals; dietary nutrient sources; food analysis; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; ICP OES; iron; Macro- and microconstituents; magnesium; manganese; Metals; Methods of analysis, processing and quality control, regulation, standards; mineral content; Non alcoholic beverage industries and mineral waters; Reference Daily Intakes; zinc
• ISSN: 0889-1575; 1096-0481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2004.02.012

Macro- (Ca, Mg) and microconstituents (Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu) were determined in bottled Brazilian coconut water without a mineralization step using an Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. The presence of these elements in this beverage was investigated, considering the lack of information presented by the manufacturers who mention, in general, only the Na, Ca and Fe content. The experimental parameters (plasma power, nebulization flow rate, torch configuration and yttrium as internal standard) were optimized. The determinations showed low matrix interference, RSD usually lower than 2% and good accuracy confirmed with the analysis of a reference material and the quantitative recoveries obtained in experiments using analyte addition. The ranges of concentrations (mg L −1) of the analytes in different brands were: Ca (178–232), Mg (87–129), Mn (1.8–3.8), Fe (0.08–0.18), Zn (0.2–0.36) and Cu (0.09–0.19). LOQ values are (mg L −1): Ca-2.10, Mg-0.24, Mn-0.01, Fe-0.05, Zn-0.06 and Cu-0.03. Considering the Reference Daily Intakes for Minerals (RDI), we estimated the nutritional contribution for 300 mL of the beverage, which is more relevant for Ca (6% of the RDI), Mg (8% of the RDI) and Mn (56% of the RDI).