National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies - ICSI Rm. Valcea, Uzinei Street no. 4, P.O. Box Râureni 7, 240050, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania

ABSTRACT

Certification of quality and authenticity of food, among which fruits and its derivate products have a significant contribution on the market, remains a topic of interest for both consumers and producers since the price of agricultural products can vary greatly according to their denomination of origin and nutritional value. For this purpose reliable screening methods and markers are searched. In this regard, the present work performs an overview of the main characteristics of macro- and microelements in fruits and their link with the type of fruit, fruit family and its provenance. An accurate quantification of metals in fruits or their derivate products could be adequate not only for food safety and consumer health, but also for detecting fraudulent labeling of origin since the metal content in fruit is linked with that of the provenance soil and of the agricultural and technological procedures.

Keywords: authenticity, fruits, multi-elements, quality markers.