[Determination of trace elements in pumpkin by FAAS]

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Pumpkin is a globally cultivated crop with significant nutritional value.
• Understanding the elemental composition of pumpkin is crucial for assessing its health benefits.
• Previous studies have not comprehensively analyzed multi-trace elements across different pumpkin parts and growth stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish optimal conditions for the simultaneous determination of multi-trace elements in pumpkin using FAAS.
• To quantify the levels of essential elements (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Cr) in various pumpkin parts and growth stages.
• To evaluate the nutritional significance of pumpkin based on its elemental profile.

Main Methods:

• Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) was employed for elemental analysis.
• Method validation included assessing relative standard deviation and recovery rates.
• Samples were collected from different parts of the pumpkin at various growth periods.

Main Results:

• The FAAS method demonstrated high precision and accuracy, with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.1% to 2.6% and recovery rates between 96.7% and 106.5%.
• Significant levels of essential elements, including potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn), were detected in pumpkin.
• Elemental concentrations varied across different pumpkin parts and growth stages.

Conclusions:

• The developed FAAS method is reliable for simultaneous multi-trace element determination in pumpkin.
• Pumpkin is a rich source of essential minerals vital for human health.
• The findings underscore the high nutritional value of pumpkin, supporting its role in a healthy diet.