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The goal of this study is to evaluate the quality of seven natural mineral water sources in the Vrnjačka Banja area used in the treatment of various diseases. The 24 macro- and microelements were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results show that element content was within allowed limits of concentration, except for B, As, and Se. The evaluated content of these elements can be associated with geological and anthropogenic factors. The sample S6 contains more than twice the concentration of As, meaning that the use of water from this source should be limited due to the negative impact of this element on human health. The calculated values of weekly (EWI) and oral (OI) intakes as well as the acute hazard quotient (HQ A ) of selected toxic and potentially toxic elements indicate no health risks to the consumers. The highest hazard quotient (HQ L ) observed for As in sample S6 (2.0·10 -1 ) demonstrated a significant risk of carcinogenic diseases in long-term consumption from this source. The estimated non-carcinogenic (DI A ) and carcinogenic (DI L ) dermal intakes with acute (HQ A ) and long-term (HQ L ) hazard quotient values for sample S3 show that there is no health risk to those who use the water from this thermal source for bathing. The presence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria at 22 °C and 37 °C in samples S3, S6, and S7 as well as sulphite-reducing Clostridia species in sample S5 were detected, potentially indicating some non-faecal or faecal contamination.

Background: Bee pollen has already proved to be a good supplement rich in iron and zinc. Studies on the application of flower pollen in the food industry and medicine have begun. Bearing in mind the prevalence of maize as a crop culture, its pollen will be easily available. The mineral composition of pollen of seven Serbian maize hybrids was analyzed in order to establish its nutritional value and the benefits of its implementation in the human diet using the inductively coupled plasma method., Results: The presence of twenty four different macro- (nine) and micronutrients (fifteen) was detected. The most common minerals were phosphorus and potassium, while arsenic, cobalt, lead, nickel and molybdenum were found in some samples., Conclusion: Comparing the results obtained with recommended or tolerable dietary intake references for adults, it was found that maize pollen can be used as a very good source of zinc, iron, chromium and manganese for humans. With regard to selenium content, pollen samples proved to be moderately good source of this important micronutrient. Contents of some elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Se, Al and V) showed significant differences depending on hybrid type. In some samples increased concentrations of aluminum and vanadium were recorded, which may pose a potential problem due to their toxicity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.)

In this study we analysed mineral composition of bee pollen of different plant origin collected across Serbia using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. The most abundant elements were potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The samples were also exceptionally rich in iron and zinc, which are very important as nutrients. Judging by our findings, mineral composition of bee pollen much more depends on the type of pollen-producing plant than on its geographical origin.

The aim of this study was to find the chemical parameters for the differentiation of plum cultivars grown along the fjord areas of Western Norway and Eastern Norway, having specific agroclimatic conditions. Chemical analysis of the fruits confirmed the contents of 13 quantified elements, 22 sugar compounds, 11 organic acids, 19 phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity in 68 plum cultivars. Dominated contents were noted for nitrogen (with the maximum mean value of 3.11%), potassium (8055.80 mg/kg), and phosphorous (7878.88 mg/kg). Averagely, the highest level of sugars was determined for glucose (244.46 g/kg), fructose (197.92 g/kg), sucrose (208.25 g/kg), and sorbitol (98.02 g/kg), organic acids for malic acid (24.06 g/kg), and for polyphenol compounds were 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (66.31 mg/kg), and rutin (58.06 mg/kg). Applied principal component analysis has been useful for distinguishing the plum cultivars from three areas in Norway where copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and sodium; sucrose, ribose, maltose, and raffinose; p-hydroxybenzoic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, p-coumaric acid, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid were the most influential. In regard to human health and future breeding work that will have the aim to produce functional food with high health-related compounds, the plum cultivar 'Mallard' should be underlined due to the high level of elements, 'Valor' due to high sugar content, 'Helgøyplomme' due to content of organic acids, and 'Diamond' due to the content of phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was the determination of phenolic compounds, and mineral nutrients in the pulp and peel obtained from Balkan indigenous apple and pear cultivars. The phenolic composition, assessed by HPLC-DAD and spectrophotometric methods varied significantly between the cultivars for both peel and pulp. Among the apples, the Mekica cultivar had the highest total phenolic content while Šećerlija and Zlatna Parmenka had the lowest. In the case of the pear samples, the maximum total phenolic content was found in Crna Takiša while the minimum content was recorded for Bela Arapka. In most of the investigated samples, chlorogenic acid in apples and arbutin in pears were the major detected polyphenolic compounds. With regard to the mineral analysis, K was the most abundant followed by P, Mg, Ca and S. Iron was the dominant microelement in apple peel and pulp samples, while in pear samples the principal microelement was B. The obtained results provide detailed information on the chemical composition of the tested apple and pear cultivars and thereby, could encourage their wider cultivation and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some primary and secondary metabolites, as well as mineral nutrients in pulp, peel and juice obtained from four Serbian indigenous apple cultivars (Kožara, Kolačara, Budimka and Šumatovka) collected at two different developmental stages were studied. With advanced maturation soluble solids content, total and reducing sugars increased, while l -ascorbic acid content and titratable acidity decreased. Thirteen phenolic compounds were quantified using LC–MS/MS. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 9.37 to 1440 mg/100 g fw, and 0.83 to 7.84 mg/100 g fw in peel and pulp samples, respectively. Quercetin derivatives were the major detected polyphenolic group. Majority of determined phenolic compounds were influenced by cultivar and the best sources were cultivars Kolačara and Budimka. The content of flavonols (with the exception of quercitrin) varied significantly depending on maturity at harvest. With regard to mineral analysis, K was the most abundant ranging from 104 to 158 mg/100 g fw in peel, 74.4 to 93.3 mg/100 g fw in pulp, and 77.1 to 91.5 mg/100 g fw in juice samples. Obtained results provide detailed information on nutritional potential and chemical composition of tested apple cultivars and thereby could encourage their wider cultivation and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chemical composition of plum fruit was more cultivar- than rootstock-dependent. • Twenty phenolic compounds were identified in plum skin, and fourteen in plum flesh. • Rootstocks affected the content of most phenolic compounds in skin and flesh. • Rootstocks had influence on glucose, sucrose, and trehalose contents. • Rootstocks had influence on potassium, calcium, and copper contents. This paper presents the chemical composition of the fruits of three European plum cultivars ('Cacanska Rana', 'Cacanska Lepotica', and 'Cacanska Najbolja') grafted on four rootstocks (Myrobalan, 'Pixy', 'Fereley', and 'St. Julien A'). The rootstock/cultivar combinations significantly influenced the content of most of the phenolic compounds in the plum skin and flesh. The total anthocyanin content in the skin ranged from 1.87 to 7.33 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside g−1 fresh weight. The major phenolic compound in the skin was rutin, which ranged from 95 to 238 mg kg−1, while in the flesh, cinnamic acid and catechin were dominant. The total sugar content in the fruit ranged from 66.2–147 mg g−1. The highest glucose and fructose contents were in 'Cacanska Lepotica', then in 'Cacanska Najbolja', and the lowest were in 'Cacanska Rana' cultivar. The highest contents of glucose and sucrose were found in fruits from trees grafted on Myrobalan rootstock, and the lowest in fruits from trees grafted on 'St. Julien A' rootstock. The rootstocks significantly influenced the potassium, calcium, and copper contents in the plum fruit. The results of this study demonstrate the significant effect of rootstocks on the phenolic and sugar profiles, and on the mineral content of the plum fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]