Information on the composition of Brazilian foods is scant. Concentrate fruit juices commercialized in glass bottles are widely used by Brazilian families. The present work eight nutritionally important elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) in commercial concentrated fruit juices, pineapple (3 brands), West Indian cherry (2 brands), cashew (5 brands), guava (3 brands), mango (2 brands), passion fruit (5 brands), and Surinam cherry (1 brand) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The juices contribution to children's diet, considering an intake of 300 mL per day and using the dilution suggested by the maker, is high in potassium for all juices analyzed (170 - 930% of the recommended daily allowance, RDA). The pineapple and West Indian cherry juices offer 6 and 12% of the iron RDA, respectively. The manganese present in pineapple, mango, guava, and West Indian cherry juices contribute with 38, 14, 8 e 7% of the RDA, respectively. Magnesium varies between 9% of the RDA in pineapple juice and 2% in the passion fruit and cashew ones. Zinc and copper varied between less then 1 - 2% of the RDA in cashew and Surinam cherry juices and 2 to 6% in the other juices. For adults the contribution to the diet is proportionately less but by no means to be disregarded.
brazilian fruits; fruit juices; mineral composition; essential minerals; potassium; iron
