Comparative analysis for macro and trace elements content in goji berries between varieties from China and R. Macedonia

Abstract. The goji fruits (Licyum barbarum L.) are known for their high mineral content: Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, P, Se, etc., with a positive incidence of high importance on the human body. Considering these, the present paper summarizes data for 16 macro and trace elements contents (Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Ge, Pb, Ni, Cd, As, Bi and Hg) in Licyum barbarum L. planted in China and in R. Macedonia. The collected samples were totally digested with application of microwave digestion system. Total concentration of the selected elements was determined using inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The major elements content (Ca, K, P and Mg) ranges from 507 mg/kg to 3877 mg/kg for samples from R. Macedonia and from 269 mg/kg to 5047 mg/kg for Chinese samples. Statistically, significant differences for the analyzed elements between Macedonian and Chinese variety were obtained for Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Se, Cd and Pb. Multivariate statistic was applied for revealing the dominant element association: F1 (Na-Mg-Fe-Ni-Se-Bi), F2 (Zn-Hg-Pb), F3 (P-K), F4 (Ca-Ge-Cu) and F5 (As-Cd). The total elements content for the analyzed elements dominates in Chinese samples (7965 mg/kg) vs. Macedonian samples (7661 mg/kg). The content of the potentially toxic elements (As, Bi, Cd and Pb) doesn't exhibit the maximum allowed limit for these kind of foodstuff. Multivariate assessment for elements content reveals a significant correlation within the geographical origin of samples. Two dominant components (Ca-Mg-P-K-Na-FeZn-Cu-Se and Na-Ni) were extracted for Chines samples vs. Cd-Pb-As-Bi-Hg dominant for the Macedonian goji berries samples