Elemental Analysis of Olives’ Fruits Using Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Flu-orescence (XRF)

Olive-trees (Olea europaea L.) are the dominant trees cultivated in the Mediterranean basin. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is one of the sensitive, rapid and simple analytical techniques to study the essential element content of medicinal plants. This project aimed to apply XRF in the determination of metallic elements content of olive fruits. Herein, the trace elements in O. europaea L. fruits have been analysed using XRF spectrometry. Samples were collected from four environmentally different areas and subjected to X-Ray fluorescence detection and mapping using a photon flux of 108-109 photons in the energy range between 3.65-14 keV. The results showed that the olive fruits are rich in nutritional elements like K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn. It can be concluded that XRF could be considered a valuable technique for detection and mapping the elemental contents of olive fruits.