Determination and size-fractional distribution of the elements in garlic

Thirty elements in garlic sample were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after microwave digestion. The concentrations of K, Ca,Na, Sr, and Hg in the present garlic sample were higher than those in rice and wheat, but the concentration of Se in the garlic sample was relatively lower. The extractability of the elements in the garlic sample was also examined; the results showed that most of the elements could be easily extracted by pure water and/or a 0.1 M HNO(3) solution, except for Hg. Furthermore, the size-fractional distribution of the elements in garlic was investigated by pure water extraction and centrifugal ultrafiltration.