Determination of mineral elements in some iraqi and imported wheat and flour samples by XRF

Food is the main source of supplying the body with the energy needed for vital human activities as well as for his health to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and malnutrition diseases. Flour and wheat are considered important food items that people eat daily, especially for Iraqis, as no meal is devoid of bread or flatbread. Therefore, in this work, mineral concentrations were calculated and the daily intake of every 100 grams of minerals was estimated (minerals are one of the basic elements in nutrition). Seven flour samples collected, three local and four imported, in addition to three samples of local wheat. The results indicated that the major elements in these samples were Mg, Si, P, S, Cl, K, and calcium, and the minor elements were Al, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Br, Sn, Ba, Ta, Te, Sr, and Cu. As for the trace elements, they were V, Cr, Co, Ni, Sb, Ga, Rb, Pb, Y, Mo, Ag, Cd, Cs, La, W, Nb, I, Ce, Zr, and Th. As for the ultra-trace elements, they were As, Se, Hf, Ge, Hg, Tl, Bi, and U. It was found that most of the concentrations could be less, close to, or more than the RDA values registered by some countries and international scientific organizations. For example, the concentration of Mg was as a maximum of 0.678 in sample 5, and as a minimum of 0.137 in.sample 10. The daily intake can be estimated for every 100 grams according to what the person eats daily, at a rate of one to three loaves, i.e. between 125 and 375 grams. When compared with the RDA values of some countries such as the United States of America, Canada, India, European countries, and some scientific institutions such as the World Health Organization, the results for the concentrations of some elements may be more, less, or close to it. This depends on the human need according to their environment.