Comparison of mineral and trace element contents in onion cultivars (Allium cepa L.) |
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Authors: | Beatriz Rodríguez Galdón Rafael Oropeza González Elena Rodríguez Rodríguez Carlos Díaz Romero |
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Affiliation: | Department of Analytical Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38201 La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and Se were determined in five traditional onion cultivars (Allium cepa L.) from Tenerife (Guayonje, San Juan de la Rambla, Carrizal Alto, Carrizal Bajo and Masca) and a commercial cultivar (Texas Early Grano 502) grown under the same agronomic, soil and climatic conditions in order to find out differences between these cultivars. RESULTS: Carrizal Alto presented the highest K content and lowest P, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and Se. Texas cultivar had the highest P, Mg and Se contents, and the lowest contents of Ca, Cu and Mn. There were clear differences in the mineral and trace elements contents between the two seed origins of San Juan de la Rambla cultivar. Many correlations were found between the parameters analyzed, emphasizing the Fe? Zn and Ca? Mn correlations. CONCLUSION: There were differences in the mineral and trace element composition between the onion cultivars. The environment and agronomic practices could affect the genetic information of the seeds, determining changes in the mineral and trace element composition. Linear discriminant analysis is a useful tool for differentiating onion samples according to cultivar and seed origin. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry |
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Keywords: | onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars mineral trace element discriminant analysis |
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