Differences between elemental composition of orange juices and leaves from organic and conventional production systems

This study investigates the differences in elemental composition between orange juices and leaves from organic and conventional agricultural systems in Brazil, particularly in the citrus-producing region of Bebedouro. The objective is to analyze whether the agricultural practices employed influence the chemical makeup of the products. A comprehensive sampling of the Valencia orange variety, cultivated under both organic and conventional systems, was conducted. The analysis involved instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for chemical characterization, complemented by univariate and multivariate statistical methods to evaluate the data. The results demonstrate significant differences in elemental content between the two production systems, highlighting distinctions in elements such as Br, Co, Cs, La, and Rb. These findings suggest that the choice of agricultural practices may yield distinct nutritional and qualitative attributes in citrus fruits, potentially influencing consumer preferences and market dynamics. By elaborating on the elemental profiles, the research contributes valuable insights into how organic versus conventional methods impact agricultural outputs in the citrus sector.