Application of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer in the Measurement of the Elemental Constituents of the Peels, Seeds and Pulps of Nigerian Ripe Grape Fruits

Abstract

There is increase in the use of grape fruits for juice production in Nigeria, without   the corresponding assessment of the nutritional constituents of the ripe grape fruit. Arising from this background, this paper was set to examine the elemental compositions of the peels, seeds and pulps of the grape fruits grown in Nigeria and to generate data on this fruit. The inductively coupled plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used in measuring the elemental constituents of the peels, seeds and pulps of the grape fruits. The elements determined were Zn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, N, and P. The results indicate that the elements were in varied concentrations in each of the segments (Peel, seed and pulp) analysed. Additionally, variations in the concentrations of a particular type of element were also observed when the segments were compared. When the results were subjected to statistical analysis significance differences were observed between some of the elements within the same segment, P<0.05%. Overall, the elements detected in all the grape fruits are known to play significant metabolic roles in humans. The consumption of grape fruits from the results obtained would contribute to the daily elemental requirements.