Resumen

SOUSA, Rafael Arromba de et al. Classification of processed and natural coconut water using hca, pca and metallic ion levels obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Quím. Nova [online]. 2006, vol.29, n.4, pp. 654-656. ISSN 0100-4042.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422006000400005.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry was used to determine Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu in samples of processed and natural coconut water. The sample preparation consisted in a filtration step followed by a dilution. The analysis was made employing optimized instrumental parameters and the results were evaluated using methods of Pattern Recognition. The data showed common concentration values for the analytes present in processed and natural samples. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) indicated that the samples of different kinds were statistically different when the concentrations of all the analytes were considered simultaneously.

Palabras llave : coconut water; chemometrics; ICP OES.