Assessment of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.), poppy (Papaver somniferum L) and sunflower (Heliantus annus L) seeds based on their mineral profile

DANIELA BOLAÑOS; JORGELINA ZALDARRIAGA HEREDIA; EDUARDO J. MARCHEVSKY; CARLOS ALBERTO MOLDES; JOSÉ MANUEL CAMIÑA

Trends In Phytochemical Research

Islamic Azad University, Shahrood Branch Press

Año: 2019 vol. 3 p. 243 - 250

2588-3631

A multivariate analysis was performed in sunflower, poppy and pumpkin seeds based on the analysis of 18 elements (including including Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Si, Sr, Ti, and Zn) which were quantified by microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES). To avoid geographical effects, all samples were collected from the same region -San Luis province, Argentina- from 2016-2017. In order to determine differences in the mineral profiles, as well as to get information from its mineral status, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. Toxic elements as Pb, Cd and As were not detected in analyzed species, which is a remarkable fact in comparison with other regions around the world. High levels of non-essential nutrients (Al, Ba and Sr) as well as those considered as beneficial non-essential nutrients (Si and Ti) were found in poppy. By multivariate analysis -performed by principal components analysis, PCA- it was possible to discriminate groups of seeds according to botanical origin. Furthermore, PCA allowed to infer about the seed quality concerning to presence of undesired elements as Al, Ba or Sr; the selectivity mechanisms of mineral uptake and filling seed; and the differential performance of seeds for initial plant growth (due Si and Ti content) of the three studied species. For these reasons, multivariate analysis turns an informative tool for ionomic and plant development studies.