Multielement Analysis of Pakchoi (Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis) by ICP-MS and Their Classification according to Different Small Geographical Origins

Statistical interpretation of the concentrations of 42 elements, determined using solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis and multivariate statistical methods, such as principal components analysis (PCA), was used to establish the provenance of pakchoi ( Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis ) from 6 areas in Ha Noi, Vietnam. Although pakchoi is widely cultivated and manufactured, no universal method is used to discriminate the origin of this vegetable. Our study introduced for the first time a method to classify pakchoi in small geographical areas. 42 metallic elements of pakchoi were detected by ICP-MS, which were further analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis to perform clusters based on the geographical locations. Eleven elements, i.e., 28 Si; 56 Fe; 59 Co; 63 Cu; 69 Ga; 75 As; 85 Rb; 93 Nb; 107 Ag; 118 Sn, and 137 Ba, were identified as discriminators to distinguish pakchoi from those areas. Results from this study presented a new method to discriminant the geographical origins of pakchoi, which could apply to other types of vegetables on the food market.