Naslov
Determination of selected toxic elements in apples from organic farming

Autori
Zeiner, Michaela ; Juranović Cindrić, Iva ; Krizman, Ivona ; Stingeder, Gerhard

Izvornik
Journal of chemistry and chemical engineering (1934-7375) 5 (2011); 577-582

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
apples ; cadmium ; chromium ; copper ; lead ; organic farming

Sažetak
Due to the elevated ecological awareness nowadays the consumption of products of organic agriculture is increasing. Organic farming means excluding the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides or genetically modified organisms, but there are only a few regulations regarding heavy metal concentrations in soils. Thus a not negligible uptake of metals from the soil where the apple trees are grown may occur. Furthermore inorganic copper compounds being traditional fertilizers for apple trees are not considered as synthetic fertilizers, thus they are still used in organic apple farming for soil or foliar application, although their application rate is decreasing. Thus also apples produced by organic agriculture may contain toxic elements, such as cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead. The concentrations of these elements were determined in whole apples, as well as in the flesh and peel in order to estimate the possible risk for human health. Prior to analysis using ICP-AES samples underwent a microwave assisted digestion. The LODs obtained are below the recommended maximum levels in vegetables/fruits given by WHO. In all samples no Cu, Cr, and Pb could be detected. Only Ca was found in the peel of about a third of samples investigated in concentrations between LOD and LOQ (1 – 3 µg/g).

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija

POVEZANOST RADA