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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Untargeted Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics Analysis of Wheat Grain
Published on: March 13, 2020
Neutron activation analysis of wheat samples.
C Galinha1, H M Anawar, M C Freitas
1CERENA-IST, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal.
Summary
Wheat grown in Portugal shows concerning levels of toxic metals like arsenic, cobalt, and chromium, exceeding safe limits. Essential zinc is deficient, posing a public health risk and necessitating soil supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Cereals are vital for nutrition, but can accumulate toxic metals and lack essential micronutrients.
- Monitoring metal concentrations in cereals and soil is crucial before consumption and soil amendment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze essential micronutrient and toxic metal concentrations in wheat varieties grown in Elvas, Portugal.
- To assess public health risks associated with metal accumulation in wheat and soil.
Main Methods:
- Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was used to quantify elements (As, Cr, Co, Fe, K, Na, Rb, Zn) in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum durum L.).
- Analysis covered soil, roots, straw, and spikes of two wheat varieties.
Main Results:
- Soil showed high Cr and Fe, but critically low Zn. Wheat (root, straw, spike) had elevated As, Co, and Cr above permissible limits.
- Wheat exhibited low Zn concentrations, indicating deficiency. Metal concentrations decreased from root to spike.
- Potassium was enriched in all plant parts. Jordão variety showed higher transfer coefficients for Co, Fe, and Na compared to Marialva.
Conclusions:
- Wheat cultivation in the studied area poses public health risks due to toxic metal accumulation and essential micronutrient deficiency (Zn).
- Soil supplementation with zinc is recommended. Further monitoring of metal transfer from soil to wheat is essential.
- INAA is an effective method for multielemental analysis of solid samples in agricultural studies.
