Determination of minerals concentration in elected date fruits (Phoneix dactylifera) of Pakistan
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Abstract
Date fruit is a rich source of minerals i.e., Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb). These minerals are required for body growth, energy and performing metabolic activities in human body. Current study carried out on 14 different varieties of date fruit at ripening stage. The fruit varieties were: Otakin, Karbalin, Begum jangi, Ajwa, Shakri, Muzawati, Safawi, Allie, Hussani, Zagyol, Rutana, Pushna, Kashkari, and Gulstan. Samples were collected from two districts (Khairpur and Turbat, Pakistan). Each sample washed, dehydrated and dried in an oven at 1050C for 24 hours. Dried samples were ground in pestle and mortar and sealed into polyethylene bags. Samples were digested by the wet digestion method and concentration of minerals were analyzed using (ICP-OES). Results showed that the highest concentrations of Mn & Cr were observed in Ajwa, the lowest in Begium Jangi and Karbalin respectively. Highest absorbance of Fe and Cu were detected in Otakin and lowest in Zagyol and Kashkhari, while bottom most level of Cu was detected in Hussaini. The maximum concentration of Ni is found in Shakri and minimum concentration is observed in Pushna. The concentration of Cd is found highest in allies and minimum in Safawi date fruit. However, this study didn’t find presence of toxic mineral like Pb in any of collected date fruit which cause nervous damage and coma in Human. Current findings prove that consumption of date fruits is safe for human health and potentially providing a wide range of essential minerals in diet.
Keywords: Date fruits; Minerals; Phoenix dactylifer; Spectrophotometer; Wet digestion