A research note mineral composition of medlar (Mespilus germanica) fruit at different stages of maturity

The mineral composition of medlar fruit collected (June 15 - October 8) in Turkey at five stages of development was studied. In the fruit, 32 minerals were analyzed and 16 minerals (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Co, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Sr, Ti and Zn) were present at detectable levels. The ripe medlar fruit was richest in potassium (7370 μg/g dry wt), calcium (1780 μg/g dry wt), phosphorus (1080 μg/g dry wt), magnesium (661 μg/g dry wt) and sodium (183 μg/g dry wt). During the fruit development, Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn were highest in August (unripe fruits) while the concentrations of K, Ca, Mg and Cu gradually decreased throughout development. The ripe medlar fruit is an important source of nutritionally needed minerals and trace elements, in particular Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn, for human populations in southeastern Europe, Turkey and Iran.