Minerals Composition of the Cashew Apple Juice (Anacardium occidentale L.) of Yamoussoukro, Cote D'ivoire

Abstract

The mineral composition of six (6) samples of cashew apple juice, (Anacardium occidentale L.) from Yamoussoukro (Cote d'Ivoire) was studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mineral profile of the different species of apples grown in this area of Cote d'Ivoire, given the specific soil and climate in the various producing regions. Cashew apples harvested in production area were transported to the laboratory, crushed and the juice collected was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) by the method of Energy Distribution Spectroscopy (EDS) with a resolution of 0.1. The juices contain 10 minerals analyzed with seven (7) macro-minerals and three (3) trace elements. The macro-minerals in order of size K>P>Mg>S>Na>Si>Cl. The values (mg/L) of these items range from 33.7-43.3 for Na; from 152.9-215.1 for Mg; from 16.9-28.8 for Si; 211.3-239.7 for P from 43.5-57.3 for the S, 14.6-28.2 for Cl and from 2043.8-2241.4 for K. As for the three trace elements, their distribution is not uniform in all juice samples analyzed. Thus the Al content of juice samples were: 12.2±2.0 mg/L for YA1 and 12.6±4.7 mg/L for RA2. The Br is present in the sample PR1 up to 22.9±1.3 mg/L and finally the Cu in sample PR2 up 5.1±0.8. In addition, SEM analysis revealed that the minerals are not free in the juices and then ricocheted through the apples, but in the oxidized state with oxide contents above that of minerals.