Chapter 6 - Trace and Major Elements Content of Cereals and Proteinaceous Feeds in Greece Analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Authenticity of origin of raw feed materials is an important but difficult problem that could be solved by appropriate quantification of variable constituents. Feedstuffs contain a plentiful mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, whereas, there are many and varying factors influencing their composition. These factors include seed quality, ground land composition in several major minerals and trace elements, fertilizers used, watering and environmental parameters, including climate and storage conditions. The content of several trace and major elements in cereals, such as corn, barley, wheat, and proteinaceous feeds, such as local soybeans, beans, lupins, vetch, dry alfalfa meal, and imported soybean meal were analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method. Multivariate analysis of trace or major elements may be a useful tool for feed differentiation, focusing on the characterization of feed or food products certified as Protected Designation of Origin or Protected Geographical Indication.