Distribution of trace and minor elements in hungarian spice paprika plants

Abstract

Detailed investigations were carried out to study the distribution of trace and minor elements in different parts (fruit, seed and rib, peduncle, stem, leaf, root) of ripe Hungarian spice paprika plants. Two varieties of paprika plants were analyzed for their Cl, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, V and Zn content by non-destructive neutron activation analysis. The results showed that the iron contents of the samples were much higher than those of the other trace elements. For the trace elements Co, Fe, Mn, Sc, V and Zn a considerable enrichment was observed in the leaf, while the Rb and K, Na, Mg showed accumulation mainly in the peduncle. In the other parts (fruit, seed and rib, stem) of the paprika plants no significant enrichment of trace elements was found. Since some of the elements investigated may have been partially eluted during the cleaning of the roots with distilled water and, on the other hand, if the cleaning was not intensive enough, some soil particles could be retained on the samples, the data obtained for the roots should be considered with precaution.