Nutrient composition of selected wheats and wheat products. VI. Distribution of manganese, copper, nickel, zinc, magnesium, lead, tin, cadmium, chromium, and selenium as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and colorimetry.

Abstract

Magnesium and eight trace mineral elements, manganese, copper, nickel, zinc, lead, tin, cadmium, and chromium, were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy in 11 known wheats or wheat blends, 20 commercially prepared flours from these wheats, and 25 specially prepared products from the flours. The same minerals were determined in ten consumer products from ten different cities. There was significant variation among the five hard wheats in their content of nickel, zinc, lead, tin, cadmium, and chromium. Manganese, copper, zinc, cadmium, and chromium varied significantly in the four soft wheat samples, most of the variation being contributed by a single low mineral wheat. The concentration of manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium were about the same or lower and nickel, tin, cadmium, and chromium higher in the cake and crackers than in the respective flour from which they were made. Although there were significant variations in the lead, cadmium, and chromium concentrations in most of the market samples of consumer products there was no discernible effect of geographic location on the general mineral content of these products. Whole-wheat consumer products contained greater concentrations of manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium, and chromium than did products made from white flour. The selenium content of amore » small group of wheat blends and products was determined by a colorimetric method. 8 references, 7 tables.« less