The diversity and disparity of mineral elements in global kiwifruits.

Mineral elements in fruits are essential for various physiological functions and offer significant health benefits. While kiwifruit is valued for its vitamin C and nutritional content, the role of its mineral composition and distribution in fruit safety and disease remains unclear. This study analyzed the mineral composition of kiwifruits from 12 cultivars across 4 countries, identifying 20 mineral elements. Notably, potassium and magnesium concentrations were significantly higher compared to those in most commonly consumed fruits. The mineral profiles varied by flesh color: red-fleshed kiwifruits had more iron and phosphorus, green-fleshed varieties contained more calcium and manganese, and yellow-fleshed fruits had higher levels of potassium, chlorine. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was optimized to visualize mineral distribution, revealing heterogeneous patterns of potassium, calcium, chlorine, sodium and boron in kiwifruits affected by soft rot. These findings underscore the potential of LA-ICP-MS as an effective tool for studying the distribution of nutrients in fruit and assessing its physiological disorders. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of the mineral contents in all kiwifruit samples were below 1, indicating no significant risk of heavy metal contamination. Furthermore, agricultural practices such as fertilization and fungicide application influenced mineral content, with red-fleshed kiwifruits showing elevated copper and lead levels, likely from heavy metal-based disease and pest control agents. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of mineral diversity in kiwifruits and introduces a novel visual mapping technique, offering valuable insights into both the nutritional profile and safety of kiwifruit.