The jambu (Acmella oleracea), vegetable used in cooking and in popular medicine in northern Brazil, has been the subject of research in several areas showing promising applications. However, few records are found related to its inorganic composition and nutritional value. In this study, two methods were developed for treatment of samples, calcination (CA) and wet digestion (DU), for the quantification of K, Na and Li by Flame Photometry and Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in leaf samples (Fo), flowers (Fl) and leaves-flowers (Fo-Fl) of jambu produced and marketed in Boa Vista/RR, considering the complexity of the matrices, the instrumental optimization for each species studied, the analytical and laboratory efficiency by analytes addition and recovery experiments and comparison with Brachiaria brizantha Reference Material (MR) and the importance and / or toxicity of the studied species in the limits of physiological tolerance. The CA and DU methods were efficient for all metallic species in the studied samples, with relative standard deviations below 10 % for most species and recoveries in the range of 90 to 110 %, except for the Li in DU method, that requires optimization. Cu contents are shown next and the Ni below their respective limits of quantitation (LOQs), in both methods and for all samples. However, the DU method showed improved LOQs for Ca, Cu, Fe and Zn, while the CA method for K, Mn, Na and Ni, and for the Li the results are similar. Statistical tests, F and paired t (95% confidence) applied to the results of both methods show that there aren’t significant differences between their accuracy and concentrations in all species, and between samples of Fo and Fo-Fl. The quantification of MR with the use of established methods show good performance laboratory methods and their applicability in other environmental matrices, except for Fe in the CA method that are necessary adjustments. Furthermore, methods are promising for the determination of other metallic species. In general, the CA method presents in compared to the DU method, lower: the number of reactants, amounts of waste, handling steps and the risk of contamination of the sample. However, the CA method presents a low rate of destruction of organic matter and high energy consumption. Therefore, the methods have advantages and disadvantages, one over the other, attached to the treatments. In relation of the jambu nutritional potential, it is recommended for insertion in the human diet, whereas the intake of 50 g wet weight of this vegetable contributes a high content of Li and Mn, and the Fl are a Cu sources. The results obtained for the metallic species, ash and moisture in the samples studied are shown next to some literature data. The results show new methods options for processing samples for quantification of metallic species in plant tissues, as well as new information on national food consumed could be useful in complementation databases mineral composition and jambu popularization with a source nutrition.
|
