Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXIV, Issue 1
Written by Marko PETEK, Ivona PAVIĆ, Tomislav KARAŽIJA, Mihaela ŠATVAR, Mirjana HERAK ĆUSTIĆ
Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is vegetable of Apiaceae family that has a very significant nutritional and health value in human nutrition. Depending on the production system, the mineral composition of the vegetables also differs. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the status of microelements in a carrot's root and to compare samples collected at different sales channels on the Zagreb market (Croatia). Carrot sampling was carried out in triplicate in city of Zagreb in 5 retail chains, 5 markets and 5 organic products stores. After digestion of dry plant material with concentrated HNO3 and H2O2 microelements (iron, manganese, zinc and copper) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed differences among carrots sampled at different sales channels and with different production system. Average content of microelements in retail chains, markets and organic stores ranged from 15.34-19.61 mg Fe kg-1, 7.97-9.07 mg Mn kg-1, 14.62-14.87 mg Zn kg-1, 4.38-6.11 mg Cu kg-1. The data obtained from this study showed a statistically greater status of microelements in carrot samples grown in conventional production than in organic ones.
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