Determination and multivariate evaluation of the mineral composition of red jambo (Syzygium malaccense (L.))

This work aimed to evaluate the mineral composition of twelve samples of red jambo (Syzygium malaccensis) collected in 10 cities in the state of Bahia. The samples were digested in a digester block with a reflux system and cold finger, and the analytes were determined by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analyzing NIST 1570a certified reference material (spinach leaves) at a 95% confidence level. The results were evaluated through Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, which allowed the identification of outliers in the results of the city of Jaguaquara. The analyte concentrations in the samples (mg 100 g -(1)) comprised a range of: Ca (3.0-28.9), Fe (0.035-0.125), K (134.8-197.5), Mg (2.7-19.8), Mn (0.012-0.131), Na (0.5-10.8), P (0.24-13.5), Sr (0.010-0.314), and Zn (0.026-0.129). This demonstrates that the fruit can be indicated as a potential nutritional supplement in human nutrition.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the mineral composition of red jambo samples collected from 10 cities in Bahia, demonstrating that the fruit is a potential nutritional supplement due to its rich content of various essential elements.