Determination of elements in tea seeds by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Objective To analyze the etal elements in tea seed, so as to provide a reference for tea seed utilization. Methods Rapid quantitative analysis for elements As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Se and Zn in tea seeds was carried out by the high-pressure sealed microwave digestion combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Results The content of each element in tea seed were as following: Mg(1652.23 mg/kg), Ca(1 026.36 mg/kg), Mn(122.44 mg/kg), Na(37.77 mg/kg), Cr(7.58 mg/kg), Cu(9.11 mg/kg), Fe(58.17 mg/kg), Zn(17.59 mg/kg) and K(9191.29 mg/kg), while, As, Cd, Pb and Se were not detected. Method recoveries for all the elements used in this research were between 89% and 113%. Conclusion The method established in this research satisfies the analysis requirements of element in tea seed. Contents of potassium, magnesium and calcium are of high lever in tea seed, while sodium content is relatively low. Tea seed is rich in minor elements such as manganese, iron, zinc and chromium.