COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTAL PROFILE OF Citrus sinensis COLLECTED FROM FIVE DIFFERENT TEHSILS OF DISTRICT SARGODHA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Citrus is one of the most commonly used fruit in Pakistan. The study was conducted to evaluate the elemental profile (Mineral matter) of Citrus sinensis collected from five tehsils of District Sargodha i.e. Silanwali (T1), Sahiwal (T2), Bhalwaal (T3), Bhehra (T4) and Sargodha city (T5). Each tehsil consists of three replicates. Elemental analysis was carried out according to (AOAC, 1998). Results showed that T1 and T2 contain slightly higher concentration of minerals (Cr 0.066, Pb 1.676, Mg 71.667 and Cu 4.043, Zn 66.273, K 173.42 mg/Kg), respectively than T3, T4 and T5. Fluctuation in elemental profile in C. sinensis collected from five tehsils may be due to environmental factors (soil composition, water, temperature, light, different cultivars, etc.) or may be due to spatial variation.