Abstract “Panelada” is a typical dish from Brazil, made up of some bovine non-carcass components (intestine, rumen and ox feet), whose nutritional value and microbiological quality are not reported. The total contents of selected minerals were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and electrothermal (ETAAS) for samples of raw, seasoned and Panelada dish. The content of metal nutrients found in raw sample was higher than for various types of conventional cuts and meats. The added seasoning increased of the content of metal nutrients comparing to from raw sample, except for Zn. Instead, the cooking process interferes negatively in the minerals content, in contrast to Mg concentration. The Panelada dish presented high nutritional value being found 3.3, 79, 334 and 75 mg kg-1 for Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn, respectively. The microbiological analyses revealed absence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes from Panelada dish.

This work describes methods for the simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and As by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry in Brazilian nuts. The samples (~ 0.300 g) were digested to clear solutions in a closed vessel microwave oven. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for simultaneous determinations of Cd and Pb were 1100 and 2100 °C, respectively, using 0.5% (w v-1) NH4H2PO4 + 0.03% (w v-1) Mg(NO3)2 as chemical modifier. The limits of detection (3Δ) were 3.8 μg kg-1 for As, 0.86 μg kg-1 for Cd and 13 μg kg-1 for Pb. The reliability of the entire procedures was confirmed by peach leaves (No. 1547 - NIST) certified reference material analysis and addition and recovery tests. The found concentrations presented no statistical differences at the 95% confidence level.

A decomposição de amostras que contêm elevados teores de Si, utilizando mistura com os ácidos nítrico e fluorídrico, pode provocar a precipitação de fluoretos de Al(III), Ca(II), Fe(III) e Mg(II) durante a digestão, impedindo a recuperação total desses elementos. Visando minimizar esse problema, foram testados quatro procedimentos aplicados a diferentes amostras de solos. O procedimento mais eficiente envolveu a decomposição assistida por radiação microondas, seguida pela separação do material sólido residual com elevado teor de Si do sobrenadante ácido. A fração residual foi solubilizada usando HF concentrado e, após complexação com ácido bórico, essa solução foi misturada à fase líquida do digerido. Os teores de metais nos digeridos foram determinados por espectrometria de emissão óptica em plasma induzido (ICP OES) e a exatidão foi demonstrada aplicando o procedimento proposto em amostras provenientes do programa colaborativo International Soil-Analytical Exchange (ISE, Wegening Agricultural University, Holanda) e em amostra certificada de solo proveniente do National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST, SRM 2709), que apresentou respectivamente, os seguintes percentuais de recuperação: 100,0 ± 2,6; 99,5 ± 1,9; 108,5 ± 2,7; 94,6 ± 8,9; 92,2 ± 9,7; 95,7 ± 1,8; 96,7 ± 2,7; 95,2 ± 0,6; 103,6 ± 2,6 e 96,1 ± 1,6 para, Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, V e Zn.

The use of pre-mixed nitric and hydrofluoric acids for the decomposition of samples containing high amounts of Si can cause the precipitation of Al(III), Ca(II), Fe(III), and Mg(II) fluorides during digestion, reducing the total recovery of these elements. Four procedures were applied to certified soil samples in an attempt to circumvent this problem. The most efficient procedure was based on microwave-assisted acid digestion decomposition of the samples, followed by separation of the residual silicate compounds. This fraction was solubilized using concentrated HF and the remaining fluoride ions were complexed by adding boric acid. This solution was mixed with the liquid phase of the acid digest. Elemental analysis of the acid digests was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The accuracy of the procedure was confirmed by applying it to samples provided by the International Soil-Analytical Exchange (ISE- Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands) and to certified soil reference material from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST, SRM 2709). The following elemental recovery (%) was obtained: 100.0 ± 2.6; 99.5 ± 1.9; 108.5 ± 2.7; 94.6 ± 8.9; 92.2 ± 9.7; 95.7 ± 1.8; 96.7 ± 2.7; 95.2 ± 0.6; 103.6 ± 2.6 and 96.1 ± 1.6 for Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, V, and Zn, respectively.