Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to investigate the quality of fulvic acid-based food products. The concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, and antioxidant capacities of fulvic acid concentrates and ready-to drink beverages available on the global market were determined. The concentrations of minerals were determined using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Antioxidant capacity was expressed as total polyphenol (TP) and flavonoid (TF) contents, the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) values. The daily portion of eight out of 14 products realized 45–135% of recommended daily allowance (RDA) for Fe. One of ready-to-drink beverages was also a good source of Mg (about 40% of RDA), and another one of Mn (about 70% of RDA). The concentrations of TP and TF in ready-to-drink beverages varied from 6.5 to 187 µg/mL, whereas in concentrates, from 5886 to 19,844 µg/mL. Dietary supplements or food products with fulvic acids may be a good source of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds and some minerals.
Highlights
Water-soluble polymers, which are the ingredients of humic substances defined as “a series of high molecular weight substances, yellow to black in colour, formed as a result of secondary synthesis reactions” [1,2]
They usually stated that some differences in the concentration of fulvic acids and individual trace substances may be observed because the starting material is a completely natural material, not subjected to any laboratory treatment
As products selected were from different categories; all results were expressed both per millilitre of the product and in regard to daily intake calculated for the maximum portion suggested by producers
Summary
Water-soluble polymers, which are the ingredients of humic substances defined as “a series of high molecular weight substances, yellow to black in colour, formed as a result of secondary synthesis reactions” [1,2]. They are complex substances without standard chemical formulae, which are present in soil and plants in trace amounts [3,4]. Fulvic acids are chemically reactive because of the presence of many carboxyl and hydroxyl groups [3] Due to their low molecular weights, they can transport minerals to plant cells in the root, stem, and leaves [6]. They participate in the carbon cycle, because they are constantly recycled among plants, soil, and water [7]
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