Effects of different production methods on content of some microelements in spelt seed (Triticum spelta)

Abstract

Numerous worldwide studies have shown that there is a difference in the mineral composition between organically and conventionally produced plants and their products. Spelt (Triticum spelta), alternative grain from the family Poaceae, occupies a very important place in the production of healthy food. Also, spelt represents commonly grown organic crops due to the ideally balanced ratio of nutrients. In addition to the macroelements, for the survival and normal plant function some microelements are also needed. The aim of this study was to determine the existence of differences in the content of microelements and (B, Ba, Cu, Li, Mn and Se) in organically and conventionally produced spelt seeds, in period of 2015-2017. The determination of these elements was conducted by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) with previous digestion of samples and results were expressed as mg/kg of dry weight. In samples collected during 2015 and 2016, B and Ba were not detected. In conventional spelt seed, higher quantity of Ba (2.366 mg/kg), Cu (6.356 mg/kg) and Mn (55.878 mg/kg) was determined, while organic spelt seed contained higher content of B (0.875 mg/kg), Li (14.77 mg/kg) and Se (0.275 mg/kg) compared to conventionally grown sample. The obtained results for the examined elements revealed that the lowest content in analyzed seeds was for Li (conventional seed from 2017, 0,008 mg/kg), while Mn was quantified in the highest amount (conventional seed from 2017, 55.878 mg/kg).