Assessment of essential micronutrient levels in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Kenya by total reflection X‐ray fluorescence

Abstract

In Kenya, where malnutrition and hidden hunger still pose a significant challenge to growth and development, beans are an essential source of food for most of the population. However, data on micronutrient in beans are limited, and although they are required in very small amounts, they are essential for growth and development of plants as well as human beings. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, in common beans in Kenya. Samples of both fresh bean leaves and dry grains of the most common bean varieties were collected from small-scale farmers in Muguga and Kyevaluki in Kiambu and Machakos Counties, respectively. They were analyzed using total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF), a technique of increasing interest for food analysis since it is fast, easy, and reliable.Standard methods of sample preparation were used, and average elemental concentrations were compared with established sufficiency ranges. Bean leaves and dry bean grains from both sampling areas had sufficient concentrations of the four analyzed elements. Except for the Fe concentrations, the concentrations of the others elements were in the lower end of the sufficiency range for all bean species. The results obtained from this study are essential information for both farmers and policy makers and can be incorporated in programs to guide policy aimed at improving the nutritional quality of beans and thus food security in Kenya.

Essential trace elements in the African spider plant (Cleome gynandra). A case study in Molo Ward, Nakuru, Kenya

“…[15] Generally, the Mn content in African spider plants from Molo (380 ± 120 to 400 ± 140 mg/kg) is higher than the recommended dietary daily intake of 2 to 5 mg/day for adults and 2 to 3 mg/day for children. [29] T A B L E 2 Detection limits of various elements in Bowen Kales using EDXRF spectroscopy (mg/kg) [30] Beans 95 ± 1.2 to 220 ± 65 25 ± 3.8 to 76 ± 17 5.9 ± 0.3 to 8.0 ± 0.8 26 ± 0.6 to 27 ± 4 TXRF [17] Dill and fenugreek 31.64 ± 5. 16 EDXRF [16] Ocimum gratissimum 2100 to 3700 77 to 190 12 to 16 127 to 130 AAS [31] Kale 211.54 ± 94.06 211.54 ± 94.06 5.24 ± 2.49 40 ± 18.67 AAS [32] Cabbage 87.41 ± 38.…”

“…X‐ray fluorescence has been used successfully in studies of plant material, but this study is the first to use an African spider plant. [ 14–17 ]…”

“…Xray fluorescence has been used successfully in studies of plant material, but this study is the first to use an African spider plant. [14][15][16][17] The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn in the context of the nutritional status of the African spider plants' stems and leaves in Molo Ward, Kenya.…”

2023 atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and its special applications

“…As TXRF spectrometry does not require sophisticated sample preparation, it is particularly suited to facilities with limited analytical support . For example, only simple sample-preparation-methods were needed 39 to determine the concentration of essential micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in coffee beans from Kenya in an assessment of the nutritional quality of the beans. No statistical difference was found 40 between the results obtained in the WDXRF and TXRF spectrometric determinations of synthetic manganese dihydroquercetin and Se arabinogalactan, indicators for plant-derived drugs, but the RSD of the TXRF spectrometry results (2.4%) was lower than that (7%) of the WDXRF spectrometry results.…”

Special issue on biological and biomedical applications of X‐ray spectrometry

“…In this Special Issue, we have selected case studies depicting the potential of X‐ray spectrometry techniques to provide insight on the characterization and study of biological samples. Lilek et al 1 used Energy Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) to gauge the origin of bee pollen while Nguli et al 2 studied essential micronutrient in beans using Total reflection X‐ray Fluorescence (TXRF). TXRF is a special XRF technique that brings further advantages to the analysis of biological samples due to the lower achieved Limits of Detection.…”