Mineral Analysis in Foods: Methods and Applications

Mineral Determination in Foods...

What is a Mineral?

Minerals are inorganic compounds found in foods that perform various physiological functions in the body. Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), iodine (I) are important minerals.

Mineral values of food products have an important place in terms of their nutritional value. Minerals are naturally occurring, solid inorganic micronutrients. They play a role in the functioning, regulation, growth and development of the human body.

Minerals make up as little as 4% of the human body. However, they have an effect on the central nervous system, the regular functioning of enzymes and bone structure. Vitamins and minerals play an essential role for the enzymes and coenzymes required for the regular functioning of the body. Vitamins need minerals to fully realize their functions. Therefore, mineral deficiency in the body causes more damage than vitamin deficiency.

What are the functions of minerals?

Increases body resistance by strengthening the immune system.
Structures nerve cells.
Provides the regulation of water in the body.
It provides sugar balance in the body.

Mineral Analysis Methods in Foods

Flame Emission Spectrometry (AES): Fast, provides high sensitivity and is suitable for a wide range of minerals.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): Used for high sensitivity and specific mineral determination.
Precipitation Method: It is performed by mixing the sample with special solvents to precipitate minerals, separating the precipitate by filtration and analyzing the mineral content.
Washing Method: The sample is washed with a specific solvent and the minerals are dissolved. The result is obtained by analyzing the amount of minerals in the solvent.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): Suitable for high sensitivity and specific mineral determination.
Ion Chromatography (IC): Provides high accuracy and sensitivity. The sample is analyzed in a special chromatograph and the minerals are analyzed in ionic form.

Determination of the amount of minerals is especially important in the labeling of food products or to verify the values on the label.

Nano-lab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Mineral Analysis in Foods. We also provide services in Vitamin Analysis.

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