Trace elements in the fruit of ficus carica L. and their nutritional importance

ABSTRACT

Fruit pulp of Ficus carica was analyzed for the presence of inorganic trace elements with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Sixteen elements such as P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Ba, Zn, Cr, Mn, Sr, Cd and Al were detected in the water extract of fruit pulp of F. carica by this method. Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron were found to be in larger quantities than other ten trace elements. The amount of the trace elements obtained were also compared with the recommended daily requirements for human beings. The amounts of these elements obtained from the fruit pulp of Ficus carica were found to be closely correlated with the recommended daily requirements for human beings