Abstract

Microgreens are an emerging class of vegetables, which have become increasingly important in the agri-food market in recent years, and contain a number of macro- and micro-nutrients. This paper presents a rapid method for the elemental analysis of microgreens based on total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy, without preliminary sample digestion.

The following elements were detected and quantified simultaneously for six microgreen genotypes, belonging to Asteraceae and Brassicaceae: P, S, K, Ca, Cl, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr. The limit of detection (LOD) varied depending on the element and ranged between 0.1 mg kg−1 for Sr and 42 mg kg−1 for P.

The method was validated using certified standards, and results compared with those obtained using a conventional ICP-AES method requiring sample digestion. The paper also presents the advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques.

Full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814619310027?via%3Dihub