COPPER, MANGANESE, SELENIUM AND ZINC IN PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS

Compared to products of animal origin, plant-based products (PBP) present a wide variety in their nutrient composition, mainly due to the raw material used in their preparation. Recent studies have indicated that PBP has a strong nutritional and health claim, including improved immune system, antimicrobial effect, reduced risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. PBP also present significant amounts of antioxidant compounds which participate in metabolic processes to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, such as minerals selenium (Se), cooper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). In this sense, it is worth emphasizing the importance of the daily intake of these elements through feed. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the levels of Se, Cu, Mn and Zn in plant-based beverages (cashew nut; soybean and pea), yogurts (coconut with soy and pea protein isolates; coconut with fruits) and cheese (cashew nut) and to compare with the daily intake values established by ANVISA (RDC 429/2020 and IN 75/2020). Plant-based samples were mineralized by ultrasound-assisted acid digestion (nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide) at 80ºC for 35 min. Minerals determination were performed by ICP-MS (Se) and ICP OES (Cu, Mn, Zn). Analytical procedure was validated according to INMETRO guidelines: limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.4 µg per 100g (Se) and 0.04 mg per 100g (Cu, Mn, Zn); accuracy was verified using certified reference material (skimmed milk powder, ERM BD151); recovery ranged from 80 to 110%; precision (coefficient of variation, CV, n=7) ranged from 2 to 16% and complied with the INMETRO recommendations. PBP samples presented wide variation in minerals levels: Se (0.5 - 15.7 µg per 100 g), Cu (<LOQ - 350 µg per 100 g), Mn (<LOQ - 0.31 mg per 100 g) and Zn (<LOQ - 1.16 mg per 100 g). In general, the cheese sample presented higher mineral levels than plant-based beverages, and these were higher than plant-based yogurts. Except for Se, plant-based beverages show higher values than the other samples. Daily intake values were established by ANVISA as 60 µg, 900 µg, 3 mg and 11 mg for Se, Cu, Mn and Zn, respectively. Contribution of 4 - 52% (Se), 0 - 39% (Cu), 0 - 21% (Mn) and 0 - 11% (Zn) were verified considering an intake of 200 g of plant-based beverages or yogurts. Moreover, for an intake of 50 g of cashew nut cheese, values of 8% (Se), 19% (Cu), 5% (Mn) and 5% (Zn) were verified. As mentioned above, this study corroborates to the hypothesis of variability of nutrient composition in PBP, especially for minerals such as Se, Cu, Mn and Zn due to their dependence to the base matrix used for product preparation - which may or may not meet the requirements for the daily intake of these minerals and, consequently, the proper functioning of human organism.