Inductively coupled plasma optical-emission spectroscopy determination of major and minor elements in vinegar

Abstract

This study characterizes the mineral content of vinegar samples. The concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg and P (major elements) as well as Fe, Mn, Sn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd (minor elements) were determined in 35 commercial vinegar samples using inductively coupled plasma optical-emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The elements with the highest concentrations were K, Na, Ca, Mg and P. The concentrations of heavy metals in the vinegar samples, including Cd, Ni, Sn and Pb, were not considered a health risk.