Analysis of toxic elements in leaves and fruits of loquat by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Muhammad Moaaz Ali

College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.

Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan

College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China

Ahmed Fathy Yousef

College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China

Cao Zhi

School of Food and Bioengineering, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, Fuqing 350300, Fujian, China

Faxing Chen

College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China


Abstract

This study aimed at analyzing the content of 10 toxic elements (Be, Al, Ti, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb and Ag) in different tissues (leaf blade, seed, fruit peel and pulp) of loquat fruits, at different maturity stages (immature green, mature green and full ripe) from Fujian (Yun Xiao/Zhangzhou) in China, using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with microwave digestion. Results revealed that the concentrations of Be, Al and Hg in all observed tissues were significantly reduced with the change in maturity of fruits from immature green to full ripe. Whereas the toxicity of Ti, As, Cd, Sb and Pb were observed to be shifted from seed and pulp to peel and leaves. Tin concentration was increased in all observed tissues except seeds, while silver concentration was only increased in fruit peel of loquat. In sum up, toxic elements concentration detected in the fruit pulp of loquat, at full ripe stage, was found safe for human consumption.

Keywords:

Loquat, toxic elements, ICP-MS, microwave digestion

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Published
2021-10-29



Muhammad Moaaz Ali 
College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan 
College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China
Ahmed Fathy Yousef 
College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China
Cao Zhi 
School of Food and Bioengineering, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, Fuqing 350300, Fujian, China
Faxing Chen 
College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China



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