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Multi-Element Analysis of Spanish Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Based Techniques. Discrimination Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis

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Abstract

The elemental analysis of Spanish palm dates by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is reported for the first time. To complete the information about the mineral composition of the samples, C, H, and N are determined by elemental analysis. Dates from Israel, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Iran have also been analyzed. The elemental composition have been used in multivariate statistical analysis to discriminate the dates according to its geographical origin. A total of 23 elements (As, Ba, C, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, H, In, K, Li, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn) at concentrations from major to ultra-trace levels have been determined in 13 date samples (flesh and seeds). A careful inspection of the results indicate that Spanish samples show higher concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni than the remaining ones. Multivariate statistical analysis of the obtained results, both in flesh and seed, indicate that the proposed approach can be successfully applied to discriminate the Spanish date samples from the rest of the samples tested.

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Conflict of Interest

Shaymaa S. Abdrabo declares that she has no conflict of interest. Guillermo Grindlay declares that he has no conflict of interest. Luis Gras declares that he has no conflict of interest. Juan Mora declares that he has no conflict of interest. This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Alicante, P.O. Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain

    Shaymaa S. Abdrabo, Guillermo Grindlay, Luis Gras & Juan Mora

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  1. Shaymaa S. Abdrabo
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  2. Guillermo Grindlay
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  3. Luis Gras
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  4. Juan Mora
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Correspondence to Juan Mora.

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Abdrabo, S.S., Grindlay, G., Gras, L. et al. Multi-Element Analysis of Spanish Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Based Techniques. Discrimination Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis. Food Anal. Methods 8, 1268–1278 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-014-0011-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-014-0011-8

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