Elemental Analysis of Tarhana by Microwave Induced Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Elemental analysis of tarhana, a traditional Turkish cereal soup, has been conducted. A new method was developed for the determination of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and sodium, in tarhana by microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry. A sample of 0.1 g were mineralized by microwave digestion in 10 mL of 65% HNO₃. A wheat flour standard reference material (GBW 08503) was used for validation. Linear calibration using standards prepared in acid was conducted for all determinations. The limits of detection were 1.21 µg g⁻¹ for Ca at 393.366 nm, 0.43 µg g⁻¹ for Fe at 259.940 nm, 11.5 µg g⁻¹ for K at 766.491 nm, 0.12 µg g⁻¹ for Mg at 285.213 nm, 0.04 µg g⁻¹ for Mn at 403.076 nm, and 0.04 µg g⁻¹ for Na at 588.995 nm. Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Na were determined in tarhana with values from 0.73 to 1.61, 0.016 to 0.061, 2.02 to 4.09, 0.473 to 1.414, 0.019 to 0.043, and 0.26 to 1.83 mg g⁻¹, respectively.