Semina: Ciências Agrárias (Oct 2014)
Quantification of minerals and tocopherols isomers in chestnuts approach chemometrics
Abstract
The levels of the ?, ?, and (?+?)-tocopherol isomers and the amounts of the minerals Se, Zn, Ca, Fe, K, Mn, Mg, and Cu were analyzed in chestnuts. High contents of Zn (>65%) relative to the recommended dietary intake (RDI) were found in all chestnuts except macadamia nuts (25% of the RDI). All samples had Se contents higher than the RDI: Brazil nuts > macadamia nuts, cashew nuts > pecans > almonds > pistachio nuts > hazelnuts > European nuts. A greater concentration of ?-tocopherol was found in almonds (30% of RDI). All samples, except for hazelnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts, had (?+?)- tocopherols, with the largest amount found in pistachios. Only pecan nuts and European nuts had ?-tocopherol and only in low amounts. Multivariate analysis allowed for better characterization and distinction of the chestnuts
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