Cuantificación de fósforo, potasio y hierro en guanábana (Annona muricata) mediante técnicas espectroscópicas

Abstract

Abstract: Annona muricata, commonly known in English-speaking countries as 'guanábana' and 'ebo' in Yoruba, is an upright, low-branching tree reaching 8 to 10 metres, native to Central America and extending as far as South America. This fruit is recognised for its medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties and its potential in the fight against cancer due to its high vitamin and mineral content. In the present investigation, the quantity of minerals (phosphorus, potassium and iron) was determined in 5 samples of soursop from the provinces of El Oro and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. The quantification was carried out using atomic absorption and UV-Visible spectroscopic techniques. The results obtained show that the phosphorus content in the pulp ranges between 855 ± 39 mg/100g and 634 ± 85 mg/100g, in the peel between 184 ± 1.23 and 184 ± 0.80 mg/100g, and in the seeds between 686 ± 1.91 and 731 ± 12.62 mg/100g. Regarding potassium, values were recorded in the pulp between 659 ± 9 and 506 ± 55 mg/100g, in the peel between 1249 ± 22.65 and 278 ± 18.42 mg/100g, in the seeds between 278 ± 54.85 and 141 ± 24.21 mg/100g and in leaves for variety 2, the data are between 384 ± 7 mg/100g. As for iron, concentrations were found in the pulp of 155 ± 53 and 79 ± 7 mg/100g, in the peel of 6 ± 2.19 and 57 ± 0.97 mg/100g, and in the seeds of 67 ± 4.73 and 135 ± 5.53 mg/100g, with a value in the leaves of variety 2 of 617± 12.5 mg/100g. These results show that the guanábanas analysed provide significant amounts of minerals, according to the comparison with bibliographic data, contributing to the proper functioning of the organism.