Investigation of the chemical composition of the domestic apple tree fruits by x-ray fluorescence analysis

Abstract

Introduction. Apple fruits are widely used in the food industry and as non-pharmacopoeial medicinal raw materials. The value of this plant is due to the presence of a large number of biologically active compounds, namely: phenols, flavonoids and tannins. Despite the abundance of information on the chemical composition of this raw material, the study of the elemental composition of apple fruits remains relevant for potential use in the treatment of element deficiency conditions. Objective: to study the content of chemical elements using X-ray fluorescence analysis in three different parts of apple fruits – in the exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp for four varieties, as well as to identify the nitrate content and measure acidity for these apple varieties. Material and methods. Apple tree fruits for research were harvested in the Moscow region. After preliminary ashing of the samples, the content of chemical elements was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis with a silicon drift detector. pH and nitrate ion concentrations were measured using an EXPERT-001 pH meter. Results. Using X-ray fluorescence analysis (XFA), the elemental composition of four varieties of domestic apple fruits was studied for various parts of the fruit. An increased content of lead was noted in the exocarp of apples of the Spartan variety. A study of the content of nitrate ions and pH was also carried out. Conclusion. The chemical composition of domestic apple fruits was studied using X-ray fluorescence. The content of chemical elements was different in different parts of the fruit. The lowest content of chemical elements was determined in the mesocarp of the fruit. It is also worth noting the high lead content in the exocarp of Spartan apples.