Analysis of Ca and Fe in supplements by EDXRF technique

Abstract

Measurements of the elemental composition of supplements is relevant in the nutritionalcontext for the consumer, as well as for the professional for the correct prescription, since thenational legislation still does not oblige the manufacturer to determine the content ofminerals, with the exception of sodium. According to Euromonitor (market research onconsumer products, commercial industries, demographics trends and consumer lifestyles inBrasil) the most consumed minerals were calcium (13%), followed by iron (4%). Anothermarket research carried out at the end of 2020 by “Associação Brasileira da Indústria deAlimentos para Fins Especiais e Congêneres” (Abiad) also emphases that consumption ofdietary supplements increased by 10% in the last five years in Brazil. In this study, the Ca andFe content in food supplements commercially available at São Paulo city were evaluatedusing the Energy Dispersion X-Ray Fluorescence (FRX-ED) technique. The data wereobtained using a compact X- Ray spectrometer (X-123 SDD, Amptek) constituted by a SDDdetector coupled a mini X-ray tube (Ag). Concentration results were compared with thoseprovided by the manufacturer.