The multielement analysis of the apple peel using ICP-OES method

Abstract

The content of 21 elements in the peel of five apple cultivars was determined by using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OES) spectrometry. Among the major elements, the most abundant is K, followed by Ca, P, Na and Mg. The most abundant among the microelements are Fe, B, Mn, V, Cu and Zn. In terms of heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb), it can be concluded that the concentrations of As, Cd, Ni and Pb are below permissible levels prescribed by national legislation and EU Directives. The results obtained from this study show that there are no health risks from the consumption of apples when compared with the levels stipulated by health authorities. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to classify the analyzed elements in five apple cultivars according to their contents.