Sample treatment procedures for the determination of mineral constituents in honey by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

Abstract

Foram desenvolvidos métodos para a quantificação de constituintes inorgânicos em mel, usando-se digestão assistida por microondas e banho de ultra-som e determinação por espectrometria de emissão óptica em plasma, com acoplamento indutivo (ICP OES). No estudo foram considerados aspectos como a complexidade da matriz, otimização instrumental e essencialidade/toxicidade das espécies K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb e Cd e foram avaliados parâmetros como potência do plasma, vazão de nebulização, configuração da tocha e uso de ítrio como padrão interno. Foram obtidas recuperações entre 93 e 107% (digestão assistida por microondas) e entre 90 e 110% (banho de ultra-som) com desvios-padrão relativos menores do que 10%. Amostras de mel brasileiro, procedentes de diferentes Estados, foram analisadas para obtenção de informações sobre o seu conteúdo mineral. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com aqueles obtidos em mel de diferentes origens.Preparative methods for quantification of inorganic constituents in honey by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) using microwave assisted digestion and ultrasonication procedures were developed. Analytical aspects such as matrix complexity, instrumental optimization and the essentiality/toxicity of the species K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Cd were considered. Parameters such as plasma power, nebulizer flow rate, torch configuration and the convenience of the use of yttrium as internal standard were evaluated. Recoveries between 93 and 107% (microwave digestion) and between 90 to 110% (ultrasonication procedure) and relative standard deviations lower than 10% were obtained. Samples of Brazilian honeys, from different parts of the country, were analysed and the results obtained provide relevant information about their mineral content.Keywords: inorganic constituents, honey, ultrasonication, microwave digestion, ICP OES IntroductionHoney can not be considered a complete food by human nutritional standards, but it does offer potential as a dietary supplement, being recommended for infants, senior citizens and invalids as it is an easily digestible foodstuff that may be ingested directly or used as a sweetener in a variety of products. It is a liquid or semi liquid product made up of about 80% m/m solids, containing a mixture of carbohydrates such as fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose, traces of pollen and water, as well as enzymes. The concentration of mineral substances in honey has been calculated to be 0.17% m/m but this may vary over a wide range. 1,2Additionally, bee honey shows therapeutic features, like antioxidant properties, and these characteristics have attracted more and more consumers, increasing its commercialisation around the world 3,4 and, consequently, research concerning the characterization of honeys as well as the determination of their mineral content. 5-8Such studies assure identification of authenticity of honey and thus protect consumers from adulterated products. Relevant analytical information is prov...

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