THE INFLUENCE OF FROZEN STORAGE ON CHROMIUM AND NICKEL CONTENTS IN WHITE ASPARAGUS

Batches of white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L. var Cipres) were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry to investigate the variations in chromium and nickel contents caused by the freezing process and storage of spears at -18C for 45 and 90 days. Samples of a sparagus were classified into two groups according to diameter, < 11 m m and > 14 mm spears. The spear was cut into two portions, the apical portion (7 cm from the spear tip) and the basal portion (14 cm of the remaining stem). Mean concentrations were 0.61 +/- 0.18 and 4.23 +/- 0 .56 mg/kg (dry weight) for chromium and nickel, respectively. Three-fa ctor analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differenc es drug frozen storage for both chromium and nickel content. Spear dia meter had no statistically significant effect on chromium and nickel c oncentrations. Statistically significant interportion differences were found only for nickel levels, which were greater in the apical portio n.