engleski

Essential and Toxic Element Concentrations in Sarsuma Fruits (Citrus unshiu cv. Chahara) Grown in the Neretva River Valley (Croaria)

The present study investigate the accumulation of essential and potentially toxic elements in fruits of Satsuma mandarin that is a major export citrus crop in Croatia with the average annual production of 40000 t. The main producing region is Neretva River Valley located in the southern part of the Croatian Adriatic sea coast. In general, inappropriate management of a coastal aquifer, highly sensitive to disturbance, may lead its destruction causing sea water intrusion. The use of saline water for irrigation may remarkably alter soil physical and chemical properties, which can lead to permanent soil degradation. It's also well known the ability of sediments to faithfully record environmental impact, including the heavy metal contamination, on fluvial systems over time. Soil salinity, especially increased concentration of dissolved Cl- ligands, significantly influence solubility of some trace elements like cadmium. To determine nutritional value and accumulation of potentially toxic elements in fruits, fruits of cv. Chahara were harvested from three locations in two maturity stages (1/3 of fruit surface with yellow colour (minimum maturity standard-M1), and 2/3 of fruit surface with yellow colour (close to optimal maturity – M1). Element concentrations in fruit peel and pulp were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) on a Vista MPX AX (Varian). The peel accumulated more Ca (six times higher concentration than in pulp), Fe, Mn and Na, and pulp accumulated Cu, K (almost three times higher concentration than in peel), Mg and P (almost two times higher concentration than in peel). The interaction between maturity stage and location strongly influenced Zn concentration which is evident in high element variation in both peel and pulp. More matured fruits tended to have lower Ca concentration in peel. Cd concentration was neglibile in all samples (less than 0, 15 mg/kg dw) despite the increased salinity of soil.

Citrus unshiu Marc ; mineral composition ; toxic elements ; fruit quality ; soil salinity

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