Unraveling the accumulation and localization of selenium and barium in Brazil nuts using spectroanalytical techniques

• Published in: Journal of food composition and analysis 2022-03, Vol.106, p.104329, Article 104329
• Main Authors: da Silva Junior, Ediu Carlos, Duran, Nádia Marion, de Lima Lessa, Josimar Henrique, Ribeiro, Paula Godinho, de Oliveira Wadt, Lúcia Helena, da Silva, Kátia Emídio, de Lima, Roberval Monteiro Bezerra, Batista, Karine Dias, Guedes, Marcelino Carneiro, de Oliveira, Raimundo Cosme, de Carvalho, Hudson Wallace Pereira, dos Reis, André Rodrigues, Lopes, Guilherme, Guimarães Guilherme, Luiz Roberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D mapping; Amazon rainforest; Bertholletia excelsa; Nutrition; Synchrotron; Trace elements; μ-XRF
• ISSN: 0889-1575; 1096-0481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104329

[Display omitted] •Selenium and Ba levels in Brazil nuts can reach 356 and 7177 μg g−1, respectively.•Selenium is present in Brazil nuts seed tissues with higher meristematic activity.•Barium showed hot spots mainly around the epidermal tissue of Brazil nuts.•Possible formation of BaSO4 and BaSeO4 in Brazil nuts relies on Ba, S and Se contents. Brazil nuts are native from the Amazon rainforest and their nuts are consumed worldwide having good sensory acceptability. However, knowledge gaps remain concerning elemental composition, localization, and interactions in Brazil nuts. This study presents a detailed assessment regarding the concentration and localization of relevant elements in Brazil nuts using different and complementary spectroanalytical techniques. Samples were collected from six sites of the Brazilian Amazon (Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas, Roraima, Pará, and Amapá) and showed results for selenium (Se) concentration ranging from 0.46 to 356 μg g−1 and barium (Ba) from 12.5 to 7,177 μg g−1. Then, a linear regression model fitted between Se and Ba concentration in Brazil nuts provided an R2 = 0.30. The spatial distribution of major and trace elements in Brazil nuts varied depending on the site of origin and concentration in the sample. The 2D maps performed via μ-XRF showed that Se accumulates mainly in the outer parenchyma tissue of Brazil nuts seeds forming a “ring” shape while Ba tends to accumulate in the epidermal tissue. The possibility of forming compounds of low solubility in Brazil nuts such as BaSO4 and BaSeO4 tends to increase when Ba and Se are higher respectively in the samples studied.