Abstract
The consumption of fruit juice in the diet has increased in recent years because it contains mineral food supplements and other essential vitamins. In this study, sugar levels and mineral nutrient concentrations were evaluated in 92 commercial pineapple juice samples from Benin and France using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analysis of the data obtained reveals three ranges of concentrations relative to major elements or macro-elements (Ca, Mg), to minor elements or micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn), and to trace elements (Mo, V, Co, Cr). The concentrations of macro-elements and micro-elements (expressed in μg/L) vary from 11333 to 278000 for Mg, 95200 to 788000 for Ca, 536 to 25344 for Mn, 142 to 85612 for Fe, 5 to 253 for Ni, 5 to 1256 for Cu, and from 43 to 25862 for Zn. The trace elements were found in the concentration ranges (expressed in μg/L) of: 0.23 - 12.50 for Vanadium, 0.58 - 17.10 for Cobalt, 1.17 - 58.70 for Molybdenum and finally 4 - 70.5 for Chromium. The sugar levels in the various commercial juices collected in Benin and France vary from 11.0 to 18.5 Brix with an average value of 14.0 Brix. Apart from the heterogeneous nature of the juices produced in Benin production units, mineral and sugar levels were generally in accordance with international standards such as CODEX STAN 182-1993. The transformation of pineapple into fruit juice is a credible alternative for the improvement of pineapple exports, if the marketing strategy is better adapted and the local authorities support the manufacturers of the production chain to improve the quality of juices and highlight their excellent nutritional quality.
Highlights
Two varieties of pineapple, namely "Cayenne smooth" and "Sugarloaf", are known to be produced in Benin Republic
It is important to state that the conversion of pineapple into fruit juice is an opportunity for producers from Benin to be able to export more pineapple in strict compliance with standards, in this case, the sugar levels expressed in Brix degree
In a first approximation, we evaluated the contents without this correction for pineapple juices
Summary
Namely "Cayenne smooth" and "Sugarloaf", are known to be produced in Benin Republic. An increase in the production and consumption of pineapple has been observed aided by the extension of its cultivation in new geographical areas of the country coupled with the increase in cross-border flows, through informal transactions, to neighbouring countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger. Apart from cotton and cashew with higher export potential, pineapple is another crop that can be exported. This is one of the reasons why the government of Benin Republic, in its strategy to fight against poverty, has made the revival of the agricultural sector one of its priorities
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