Liliana Tudoreanu

Comparative study of mineral composition of beef steak and pork chops depending on the thermal preparation method

This study focuses on the effects of three different thermal preparation methods (roasting, boiling, and microwave cooking) on the mineral concentrations of beef and pork, as well as on the comparison of mineral levels between these two types of meat. In this study, raw and cooked beef and pork samples were selected and analyzed by ICP-OES in order to determine mineral concentrations. In general, thermal preparation clearly increased mineral concentrations in cooked samples compared to raw meat. The highest mineral concentration was identified in the roasted samples. Trace element concentrations in beef were significantly higher compared to pork. In pork, Na concentration decreased in all samples, suggesting that Na is lost with water. Zn mean content in cooked beef samples registered significant differences compared to pork cooked samples. The percentage of water loss during the microwave thermal preparation for beef samples was higher than the other two treatments.

A New XRF Method for Nuts Content Analyze

Fruit and oilseeds have a primarily role in the development of the human body by high contents of essential fatty polyunsaturated acids (linoleic and linolenic), and also trace elements and mineral elements. Contamination with heavy metals is carried from the soil and atmosphere. It was assess the level of microelements and heavy metals in oil fruits and nuts with tough shell (false): pistachios, almonds; nuts with hard-shell (real): nuts, peanuts, nuts from the ground and oilseeds: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, using a device for X-ray fluorescence ARL Quant type X EDXRF analyzer. This type of device has the advantage of being non-destructive, multi-element, quickly and efficiently. In addition, a detection limit fairly uniform in a large part of the periodic table and apply a wide range of concentrations, from 100% to a few parts per million (ppm). Its main disadvantage is that the tests are generally limited to elements heavier than fluorine.