High-Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Microwave-Assisted Extraction for the Determination of Metals in Vegetable Sprouts

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the enrichment of garden cress (Lepidium sativum), mung beans (Vigna radiata), and soybeans (Glycine max) with minerals. Hydroponic nutrient solutions were enriched with Zn²⁺,Cr³⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Se²⁺. Morphological assessment was based on monitoring changes that occurred as a function of the concentrations of elements in the medium. The growth of the plant, as a result of a stimulating or inhibitory effect of the identity and concentration of elements on the germination process, was characterized. Microbiological contamination was identified and catabolic profiles of two bacterial strains were performed. High-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-AAS) was used to determine Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Se²⁺ in dried plant material after sample pretreatment using microwave-assisted extraction. The limits of detection were 0.010, 0.029, 0.013, 0.151, and 0.030 milligram per liter for Ca²⁺, Cr³⁺, Mg²⁺, Se²⁺, and Zn²⁺, respectively. Recoveries were higher than 98 percent and the relative standard deviation was less than 5 percent. The accuracy of the procedure was estimated by analyzing certified reference materials. The results showed that biofortification of garden cress by zinc holds the highest promise for the creation of designer foods. Garden cress was found to have the highest bioconcentration factor among the investigated plants; at 50 parts per million, plant growth was stimulated without contamination by microorganisms.

Keywords::

• Bioconcentration factors
• Biofortification
• High-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry
• Microwave-assisted extraction
• Vegetable sprouts