CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MINERAL COMPOSITION OF GOJI BERRIES
Abstract
The article presents the results of a study of the mineral composition of goji berries (Lycium barbarum), which are considered a promising plant raw material for the creation of functional, therapeutic, and prophylactic food products. The topic is relevant due to the growing interest in natural sources of biologically active substances, as well as the need to assess their nutritional value and safety. The work aimed to determine the content of macro- and microelements in goji berries from different manufacturers and assess their compliance with established safety standards. The study focused on three samples of dried goji berries. The mineral composition was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after preliminary mineralization of the samples, and the safety indicators were assessed in accordance with current regulatory requirements. As a result of the study, it was found that goji berries contain significant amounts of macroelements, among which potassium, magnesium, and calcium predominate. Among the microelements, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese were identified, which play important roles in the body's metabolic processes. At the same time, differences in mineral content were observed across manufacturers, which may be associated with the growing conditions of the raw material, soil characteristics, and processing technologies. The results of the safety assessment showed that the content of toxic elements in the studied samples does not exceed the maximum permissible levels, and radionuclides were not detected. This indicates the safety of goji berries for consumption and the possibility of their use in food technologies without risk to human health. A comparative analysis of the obtained results with the literature data confirmed the stability of the mineral composition of goji berries as a valuable plant raw material, but also revealed variability in individual indicators, underscoring the need to standardize product quality across manufacturers. The work emphasizes the importance of controlling the raw material base and implementing modern methods for assessing the safety and quality of food products. Therefore, goji berries can be considered a valuable source of minerals and a promising ingredient for use in the production of health-promoting food products. The results obtained can be used in the development of new functional products enriched with micronutrients, as well as in further scientific research aimed at an in-depth study of the biological value and technological potential of wild plant raw materials.
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