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In the next part of this case you will learn more about the different methods and steps involved in ash and element analysis.

Macro elements

Elements that are required by the body in relatively large amounts (> 100 mg per day by the adult).

Trace elements

Elements that are required by the body in relatively small amounts (< 100 mg per day by the adult).

Elements are important to be included in food composition databases, because of their nutritional properties or toxicological potential and because food processing may influence element content. Elements can be divided into macro elements and trace elements. In nutritional sciences often the term “minerals” is used for elements such as iron, zinc etc, but this is not the correct term because minerals are molecules such as FE 3(PO 4)2 and ZnSO 4. Below you see an overview of the periodic system with an indication of the most important elements in FCDBs.