Fresh and pasteurized orange juice analysis by TXRF

Orange is considered the main product of the Brazilian citrus agro-industrial complex. However, in the end of 2016, the ANVISA pointed out orange as a risky product due to contamination using pesticides in its cultivation. Therefore, in this context, an analysis of the chemical elements present in fresh and pasteurized orange juices becomes extremely relevant. Thus, this work aims to quantify the elements that are present in fresh and pasteurized orange juices, using the TXRF technique. Samples of fresh orange juice of Pêra variety were acquired in a store in the city of Londrina-PR, were analysed; three samples of oranges were purchased at a store in Itápolis, São Paulo and five more samples of Pêra orange were obtained in the rural area. Samples of pesticides used in orange cultivation were quantified, and three different trademarks of pasteurized juice were analysed. In some of the samples that were collected in Itápolis-SP market, lead (Pb) element was quantified, however its concentration was within the limit established by Brazilian legislation. The aluminium (Al) element was detected in all samples of pasteurized orange juice, showing the influence of the packaging on the elemental concentration of the juice. All pesticides quantified in this work showed a significant concentration of some micro-contaminants, but when the pesticide was diluted in deionized water, those micro-contaminants could not be quantified.