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Print ISSN 0255-965X; Electronic 1842-4309
Not Bot Horti Agrobo, 2014, 42(2):523-529. DOI:10.1583/nbha4229715
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration level of some major-to-trace elements and toxic minerals and
polyphenols (catechin, epicatechin and quercetin) in fruits belonging to different apple cultivars (Auriu de Cluj, Florina,
Generos, Golden Delicious, Prima, Productiv de Cluj and Starkrimson), under specific climate conditions to
northwestern Romania. The apple minerals were determined by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after a preliminary, microwave-assisted, acid
digestion. The polyphenols were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with MS/MS detection.
According to the obtained results, the edible part of the apple contains many minerals with high relative nutritional value
(RNV). The major minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg and P), minor elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr and Zn) and toxic trace elements (Cd, Cr
and Pb) were comparatively identified and quantified. It was found that K (31976 mg/kg) was predominant among the major
elements, while Fe (3.68 mg/kg) and Cu (3.57 mg/kg) were comparable. The toxic trace metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) were below
the limits of detection (0.01, 0.10 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively) and did not determine any health risk to consumers. The main
polyphenols composition (catechin, epicathechin, quercetin) differs slightly among different cultivars. In Idared and
Jonathan cultivars, the investigated polyphenols are in higher quantities comparing to the others. In all investigated apple
cultivars, quercetin was proved to be the major polyphenol, followed by epicathechin and catechin. These results suggest that,
regarding only the investigated polyphenols, Idared and Jonathan cultivars have the highest antioxidant character in all
investigated genotypes.
Keywords: apple fruits, multi-elements, polyphenols
Introduction
Essential nutrients which are needed in trace and ultratrace
Apples are the second most produced tree fruits (apple quantities (Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, Mn, Co, Cr, and Se), are as
crop is estimated at 69 million metric tonnes/year) in the important for life as macronutrients (Ca, K, Mg and Na)
world, after bananas (FAO, 2011). Apples represent an (Cindric et al., 2011). However, some essential elements
important part of the human diet because they are a good may become toxic when their concentration increases. The
source of fiber, including the soluble fiber pectin, Vitamin polyphenol family (phenolic acids, stilbenes, chalcones,
A, Vitamin C, minerals and polyphenols (Wu et al., 2007). coumarins, cromones, lignans, flavonoids, isoflavonoids,
Besides 75-95% water, the edible portion of apple contains neoflavonoids and tannins) has been shown to possess
an important quantity of phenolic compounds, which significant antioxidant capacities, while they are
contribute to the flavor and can protect the human body maintaining low toxicities (Escudero et al., 2008). Apple
from free radicals and reactive oxygen species (Cindri et al., polyphenols have been registered among Japanese Standard
2012; Hyson, 2011; Pandey et al., 2009). Food Additives as antioxidants due to their strong
Numerous studies on apples have been carried due to antioxidant activity (Enomoto et al., 2006). Between the
their nutritional importance, mainly regarding their acid, apple polyphenols, flavonoids such as epicatechin, catechin
amino acid, mineral, vitamin and polyphenol contents and quercetin (Tab. 1) are the most important being widely
(Auclair et al., 2008; Vieira et al., 2009; Ko et al., 2005). distributed in natural products and medicinal herbs (Chang
Approximately 30 elements are considered essential to life. and Wu, 2011). Catechin and epicatechin have antioxidant,
Todea D. et al. / Not Bot Horti Agrobo, 2014, 42(2):523-529
524
Tab. 1. Basic information of selected polyphenols
Sample Year Na K Ca Mg P
2012 9.221.23 256602356 286112 27167 653111
Auriu de Cluj
2013 7.901.56 225303242 190103 27689 665102
2012 9.302.12 297313258 34798 29578 861211
Florina
2013 8.181.78 324422345 42387 31265 745278
2012 10.92.12 301233215 321110 286110 521113
Generos
2013 8.581.78 288553012 413102 428142 730234
2012 14.92.12 413404012 274113 284113 877235
Golden Delicios
2013 11.61.12 406203121 294110 345123 759243
2012 10.22.31 386301211 356102 34078 661213
Idared
2013 8.611.11 320301989 33087 27656 673214
2012 10.82.11 324412312 206110 266145 582225
Jonagold
2013 8.001.87 311303211 604236 467213 593235
2012 10.31.45 334501987 26787 285110 666236
Jonathan
2013 8.632.01 353002113 25698 433134 678235
2012 8.641.89 211222345 246134 285108 475114
Prima
2013 8.462.11 286712345 14598 401132 483235
2012 10.31.11 320352112 24645 306213 533245
Productiv de Cluj
2013 9.931.23 388343121 41487 435211 543213
2012 9.381.23 311262345 267110 271108 711325
Starkrimson
2013 8.602.01 334402356 359104 36598 724112
Mean values 9.62 31976 312 331 657
Standard dev. 1.63 5366 102 66.4 113
Tab. 6. Mean concentration of minor elements in apple samples (mg/kg d.w.)
Sample Year Cu Fe Mn Sr Zn