Use of multivariate analysis techniques for the characterization of analytical results for the determination of the mineral composition of kale

This paper describes the determination and evaluation of the mineral composition (calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc) of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) grown in soils within four cities in Bahia State, Brazil. The sampling process was performed during the summer and winter. Samples were digested with concentrated nitric acid and a digestion pump. Analyses were performed with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and the accuracy was confirmed with a certified reference material of apple leaves furnished by the National Institute of Standard and Technology. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed different mineral compositions of the samples collected in the summer and winter. Samples collected in the winter have a higher concentration of micronutrients (iron, zinc and manganese) and macronutrients (calcium and magnesium). The average contents (wet weight and mg per 100 g) for the winter and summer were 551 and 535 for calcium; 117 and 106 for magnesium; 2.13 and 1.48 for iron; 2.63 and 1.95 for zinc and 2.05 and 1.34 for manganese, respectively. These results are in agreement with values previously reported in the literature.