Essential elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in pork and duck liver paste produced in Spain

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Trace elements like manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients.
• Liver-based pastes are common food products, and their nutritional composition is of interest.
• Understanding trace element content is crucial for food safety and nutritional assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the concentrations of four essential trace elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in Spanish pork and duck liver pastes.
• To investigate potential sources contributing to the trace element content, including formulation, processing, and packaging.
• To compare the trace element profiles of pork versus duck liver pastes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 152 pork and duck liver paste samples produced in Spain.
• Quantification of manganese, iron, copper, and zinc concentrations using appropriate analytical techniques.
• Investigation into factors influencing trace element levels, such as raw material, processing, and packaging.

Main Results:

• Average Mn levels were 1.2 µg/g in pork liver paste and 0.8 µg/g in duck liver paste.
• Average Fe levels were 51.6 µg/g in pork liver paste and 32.3 µg/g in duck liver paste.
• Average Cu levels were 6.1 µg/g in pork liver paste and 2.7 µg/g in duck liver paste.
• Average Zn levels were 22.2 µg/g in pork liver paste and 12.9 µg/g in duck liver paste.
• Pork liver pastes exhibited significantly higher concentrations of all analyzed trace elements compared to duck liver pastes.
• The liver, as the primary raw material, was identified as the main source of these trace elements.

Conclusions:

• Pork liver paste is a richer source of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn compared to duck liver paste.
• The intrinsic composition of the liver is the dominant factor determining trace element levels in these pastes.
• Further research could explore the bioavailability and potential health implications of these trace elements in liver paste products.