Analytical Methods for Iron and Zinc Quantification in Plant Samples
Dinakaran Elango, Anand Kanatti, Wanyan Wang, Akoijam Ranjita Devi, Mahendran Ramachandran, Akhila Jabeen
Abstract
Enriching the micronutrient content of staple crops via biofortification provides a sustainable solution to iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency in food. Analytical techniques such as colorimetry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and advanced nondestructive estimation methods like X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) are being used widely for micronutrient analysis in plant samples. Compared to other available techniques, XRF is an efficient and economical tool for screening a large number of genotypes or breeding materials in biofortification programs. XRF probably replaces ICP-OES, AAS, and colorimetric methods in the large-scale screening steps for selecting a greater number of lines and helps in the quick identification of the desired genome. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of routinely used analytical techniques, and their working principles and applications in quantifying Fe and Zn contents in plant samples.