Analysis of mineral composition of some Assam and Darjeeling black teas

Black teas manufactured in Darjeeling and Assam were analysed for various macrominerals such as P, K, Ca, Mg and microminerals such as Mn, Fe and Cu. A considerable amount of minerals, eg K (40-46 mg), Mg (2.7-3.0 mg), Ca (0.48-0.66 mg) and traces of Mn (0.28-0.40 mg), Fe (0.16-0.20 mg), P (29-41 μg) and Cu (12-22 μg) were found in a cup of black tea brew. Black teas manufactured from the leaf coming from a pruned section and fine portion usually showed higher mineral content than tea manufactured from unpruned sections and coarse grade teas of Darjeeling. Assam CTC tea was found to be richer in mineral content compared to Darjeeling orthodox tea.     

Exploration of the effect of farm,breed, sex and animal on detailed mineral profile of beef and their latent explanatory factors

Minerals in meat vary with different extrinsic and intrinsic sources; therefore, we aimed to quantify different sources of variation in mineral profile of beef. Longissimus thoracis muscle (N.182) from young bulls and heifers was analysed using ICP-OES for 6 macrominerals, 5 essential microminerals and 9 environmental microminerals. Results of mixed models show that breed and sex have little effect on mineral profile. Major sources of variation, such as farm, individual animal within farm and side/sample within animal, differed markedly from mineral to mineral, affecting reproducibility coefficients. Multivariate factor analysis revealed that five latent factors explained 69% of the co-variance of 20 minerals. The first was a quantitative factor, followed by others based on Na-Fe-Cu, on K-B-Pb, on Fe-Mn and on Zn content, respectively. In conclusion, minerals’ major source of variation depends on complex relationships between the animal’s genetics, physiology, farm environment, management and feeding, whose understanding is favoured by latent factor analyses.     

Mineral profile in globe artichoke as affected by genotype, head part and environment

BACKGROUND: The globe artichoke is an important vegetable, widely consumed in the Mediterranean Basin, and is spreading also to other parts of the world. The mineral profile of globe artichoke has been very little investigated. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the content of some essential macrominerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and microminerals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn) in nine genotypes of globe artichoke in relation to different head parts (bracts and receptacle), locations and seasons. RESULTS: The mineral profile was significantly affected by genotype, head fraction, location and season. Great variation was found among studied genotypes. ‘Blanc Hyerois’, Harmony F1', ‘Madrigal F1’ and ‘Violetto di Provenza’ showed high levels of both macro‐ and micromineral content. In particular, these, as well as other genotypes, had a higher content in the receptacle (edible part) than in the bracts. The globe artichoke had a high level of K and mainly, compared to some vegetables, low Na/K ratio, which is important in preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained partially improve the lack of data in the literature and this knowledge could be used to develop different crop managements and/or breeding programmes to improve the mineral composition, and thereby enhance human nutrition and health. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry