Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elemental characterisation of strawberry grown in Islamabad by k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry and its dietary assessment

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mineral contents of strawberry, collected from different farms of Islamabad were analysed by semi-absolute k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The samples were irradiated at two research reactors located in Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH), Islamabad. The analytical methodologies were validated by analysing reference materials, IAEA-336 (lichen) and IAEA-V-10 (hay powder). In all the samples, a total of 26 elements were quantified, among them 16 elements (Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Ru, Sc, Sr and Zn) were found in all the samples. The determined elemental concentrations in strawberry were compared with the reported values from other countries. In comparison with the mineral contents of other fruits, strawberry stands best source of Mn and the second most important source of K after banana. Intake of trace metals through this source was calculated and it was found that strawberry provides Mn (1.95–3.68 mg/kg), Cr (19.2–46.3 × 10−3 mg/kg), Fe (3.45–8.72 mg/kg), K (1,520–1,670 mg/kg) and Mg (100–220 mg/kg), which forms 26, 19, 14, 7 and 7% of the recommended dietary allowances for the respective metals. The daily intake of Cd and Pb were compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake defined by FAO/WHO.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hakala M, Lapvetelainen A, Huopalahti R, Kallio H, Tahvonen R (2003) Effects of varieties and cultivation conditions on the composition of strawberries. J Food Comp Anal 16:67–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Boishebert Vd, Giraudel J-L, Montury M (2006) Characterization of strawberry varieties by SPME–GC–MS and Kohonen self-organizing map. Chemom Intell Lab Syst 80:13–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. May GM, Pritts MP, Kelly MJ (1994) Seasonal patterns of growth and tissue nutrient content in strawberries. J Plant Nutr 17:1149–1162

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cieśliński G, Neilsen GH, Hogue EJ (1996) Effect of soil cadmium application and pH on growth and cadmium accumulation in roots, leaves and fruit of strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Plant Soil 180:267–276

    Google Scholar 

  5. Latrasse A (1991) Volatile compounds in foods and beverages. Marcel Dekker, New York

    Google Scholar 

  6. Douillard C, Guichard E (1990) The aroma of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa): characterisation of some cultivars and influence of freezing. J Sci Food Agric 50:517–531

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ward NI, Savage JM (1994) Metal dispersion and transportation activities using food crops as biomonitors. Sci Total Environ 146–147:309–319

    Google Scholar 

  8. Raija T (1993) Contents of selected elements in some fruits, berries and vegetables on the Finnish market in 1987–1989. J Food Comp Anal 6:75–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Waheed S, Siddique N, Rahman A, Zaidi JH, Ahmad S (2004) INAA for dietary assessment of essential and other trace elements in fourteen fruits harvested and consumed in Pakistan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 260:523–531

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Waheed S, Siddique N, Rahman A, Saeed S, Zaidi JH, Ahmad S (2004) INAA and ETAAS of toxic element content of fruits harvested and consumed in Pakistan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 262:691–696

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Popescu IV, Stihi C, Bancuta A, Busuioc G (2003) Trace element analysis by PIXE and AAS of environmental samples. Romanian J Phy 48:283–287

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Wasim M, Ahmad S, Arif M, Daud M, Nawaz H (2011) Comparative performance of semi-absolute k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for compositional decoding of aluminum base alloys. Radiochim Acta 99:187–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wasim M, Zaidi JH, Arif M, Fatima I (2008) Development and implementation of k 0-INAA standardization at PINSTECH. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 277:525–529

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Wasim M (2010) GammaLab: a suite of programs for k 0-NAA and gamma-ray spectrum analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 285:337–342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Wasim M, Arif M, Zaidi JH, Anwar Y (2009) Development and implementation of k 0-INAA standardization at 10 MW Pakistan research reactor-1. Radiochim Acta 97:651–655

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tripathi RM, Raghunath R, Krishnamoorthy TM (1997) Dietary intake of heavy metals in Bombay city India. Sci Total Environ 208:149–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Navarra T (2004) The encyclopedia of vitamins, minerals and supplements. Facts On File, New York

    Google Scholar 

  18. Reilly C (2004) The nutritional trace metals. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  19. FAO/WHO (1993) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. WHO Technical Report Series 837

  20. Quaranta HO, Eterovic JE, Piccini JL (1986) Essential elements in fresh and irradiated strawberries and strawberry marmalade. Appl Radiat Isot 37:633–634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Beyers M, Thomas AC, Tonder AJV (1979) γ Irradiation of subtropical fruits. I. Compositional tables of mango, papaya, strawberry and litchi fruits at the edible-ripe stage. J Agric Food Chem 27:37–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. De Corte F, Simonits A (2003) Recommended nuclear data for use in the k0 standardization of neutron activation analysis. At Data Nucl Data Tables 85:47–67

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, 45650, Pakistan

    Mohammad Wasim, Nasir Khalid, Mohammad Arif & Jamshed Hussain Zaidi

  2. Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, 45650, Pakistan

    Azeem Asif

Authors
  1. Mohammad Wasim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nasir Khalid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Azeem Asif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mohammad Arif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jamshed Hussain Zaidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Wasim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wasim, M., Khalid, N., Asif, A. et al. Elemental characterisation of strawberry grown in Islamabad by k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry and its dietary assessment. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 292, 1153–1159 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-1641-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-1641-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation