Metal profiling of Hass avocados: a cross-sectional study using ICP-MS and pXRF.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Metals in agricultural products can vary substantially based on numerous factors. This pilot study aimed to quantify metal concentrations in the mesocarp and exocarp of Hass avocados available to U.S. consumers using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and to evaluate the feasibility of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) as a rapid screening tool for elemental analysis.

Results

Twenty-four elements were assessed across 24 avocado samples stratified by country of origin and agricultural practice. ICP-MS detected multiple metals-including K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, and Hg-with higher concentrations generally observed in the exocarp. Several elements exhibited strong co-occurrence patterns, such as Co-Ni in mesocarp and Mg-Fe-Mo-Hg in exocarp, with

SUBMITTER: Anastario M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12406339 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature