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doi: 10.15174/au.2016.987
ABSTRACT
Tequesquite is an alkaline mineral complex used in Mexico with culinary purposes since
pre-Hispanic times. It is produced through evaporation and crystallization of remnant former
Lake Texcoco brackish waters. Despite pre-Hispanic background use of this mineral com-
plex, it was only until the first half of the XX century that analyses were performed to deter-
mine its gross chemical composition. However, more detailed information is unavailable in
spite of recent technological advances in analytical procedures. In this study samples from
different sources were obtained and analyzed to obtain more information about its chemi-
cal and elemental composition and to determine possible variations in their composition.
Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDXRA)
and X-ray (XRD) diffraction were employed to determine composition of raw and depurated
samples (in which clays and sands were removed through solubilization in deionized wa-
ter). SiO2, NaCl, Na2CO3, and trona were identified in raw samples, whereas NaCl, trona,
K2SO4, and KCl were detected in samples free of insoluble material. SEM images showed
diverse crystal morphology types with different elemental composition, whereas XRD pat-
terns revealed that tequesquite depicts the same diversity of chemical species despite
different origin. Presence of toxic compounds was discarded, thus confirming its safe use
for human consumption. This is the first report of detailed composition of an ancient mineral
resource mainly used for culinary purposes that could be of potential use in other applica-
tions (e. gr. Spirulina cultivation).
RESUMEN
Recibido: 17 de septiembre de 2015 El tequesquite es un complejo mineral alcalino usado en Mxico desde tiempos prehispni-
Aceptado: 9 de septiembre de 2016 cos para la preparacin de alimentos. Se produce a travs de la evaporacin y cristalizacin
de las aguas salobres y alcalinas del lecho del antiguo Lago de Texcoco. No obstante los
antecedentes histricos de uso de este recurso mineral, no fue sino hasta la primera mitad
Keywords: del siglo XX cuando se realizaron anlisis qumicos para determinar su composicin general.
Tequesquite; Lake Texcoco; salt; traditional
En la actualidad, su composicin detallada es desconocida pese a que se dispone de recur-
mineral resources; athalassohaline.
sos analticos muy avanzados. En el presente estudio se obtuvieron y analizaron muestras
Palabras clave: de tequesquite en diferentes localidades, a fin de establecer su composicin elemental, as
Tequesquite; Lago de Texcoco; sal; como las posibles variaciones. Para esto, se us microcopa electrnica de barrido con es-
recursos minerales tradicionales; pectroscopia de rayos X de energa dispersiva (SEM-EDXRA, por sus siglas en ingls) y
atalosalino. difraccin de rayos X (XRD) para analizar muestras brutas y depuradas (en estas ltimas se
eliminaron arcillas y arena mediante solubilizacin en agua desionizada). En las muestras sin
procesar se identificaron SiO2, NaCl, Na2CO3 y trona, mientras que en las muestras libres
Cmo citar: de material insoluble se detectaron NaCl, trona, K2SO4 y KCl. Las imgenes de SEM mostra-
Flores-Hernndez, D. I., & Martnez-Jernimo,
ron diferentes tipos de morfologa cristalina con distinta composicin elemental, mientras
F. (2016). Detailed chemical composition of te-
quesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral que los patrones XRD demuestran que el tequesquite tiene la misma composicin qumica,
resource used in Mexico for culinary purposes. independientemente de su origen. No se registraron metales txicos, confirmando su uso
Acta Universitaria, 26(5), 31-39. doi: 10.15174/ seguro para consumo humano. Este es el primer reporte de la composicin detallada de
au.2016.987 un recurso mineral ancestral usado principalmente con propsitos culinarios, que podra
potencialmente tener otras aplicaciones (como el cultivo de espirulina).
* Instituto Politcnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biolgicas, Laboratorio de Hidrobiologa Experimental. Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Santo Toms, Mexico City, Mexico. Phone
and fax: (+52) 55 5729-6000, ext. 62424. E-mail: ferjeronimo@hotmail.com; fjeroni@ipn.mx
Corresponding author.
32 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39
ISSN 0188-6266
In TSFIM pH was measured using a Thermo poten- Figure 1 shows images obtained with SEM (1000x).
tiometer (Orion 3 STAR). NO3 content was quantified Samples a, b, c, and D have a similar morphology, be-
with cadmium reduction method (method 8039), ing remarkable the higher amount of lumpy agglomer-
and PO43 was determined with molybdovanadate ates and some elongated rods, whereas morphology of
method (method 8114), both on a HACH DR/2000 sample E is notably different: lump agglomerates are
spectrophotometer. HCO3 and CO32 concentrations found in a lower amount and a surface with less reliefs
were determined with a titration method using phe- is observed. In higher magnifying micrographs, sharp-
nolphthalein and methyl orange as indicators. Na pointed crystals morphology can be seen (figure 1f ).
and K content were quantified by means of atomic
spectroscopy (Variant Spectraa 220). Furthermore,
a sample of TSFIM was evaporated to dryness at 95 C. Table 1.
Chemical composition of tequesquite solution free of insoluble material (TSFIM),
Crystallized salt obtained through this procedure was obtained from sample E. Average values standard error limits.
identified as E, and analyzed as described below. Component Total content (mg/g)
Sodium 289.22 9.09
RESULTS
Table 1 shows chemical composition determined in
sample E (crystalized form of the TSFIM). Sodium ion
was the most abundant followed by potassium, car-
bonates, and bicarbonates, at similar concentration,
and trace amounts of phosphates and nitrates were
also determined. Remainder tequesquite content is rep-
resented mainly by insoluble particles (clays and sand)
and moisture, but some other elements like sulfur and
chlorine were also present (as seen afterward).
Alkaline pH (9.83) is due to presence of hydrox- Figure 1. Scanning electron microscope micrographs of different samples of te-
quesquite (a: sample D, b: sample C, c: sample B, d: sample A; e and
ide ions, carbonates, and bicarbonates, conditions
f : sample E; a, b, c, d, e: 1000x; f : 5000x 15.0 kV). Arrows indicate the
that prevailed in the brackish waters of former Tex- types of morphology observed.
coco Lake. Source: Authors own elaboration.
Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 33
ISSN 0188-6266
Elemental composition of crystal morphology types Diffraction patterns of tequesquite samples can be
previously described is included in table 2. Two ele- seen in figure 2. All raw samples have a very similar
mental composition analyses on selected spots were diffraction pattern, indicating that different sources
conducted on lumpy agglomerate-type morphology of tequesquite samples have the same chemical foot-
because this was the most abundant morphology con- print, namely, no variation exists among their chemi-
tributing to tequesquites ultrastructure. In all cases, cal compound diversity but in their relative abundance.
carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, This is closely related with clay and sand content, be-
silicon, sulfur, chlorine, and potassium were detected. cause a higher amount of these impurities reduce
On samples D, C, and B iron was detected in all mor- proportionally other chemical compounds.
phology types. In lumpy agglomerate-type morphology
of D and A samples a reduced phosphorus amount As can be seen in figure 2, sample Es diffraction
was detected. According to average values of elemental pattern differs from other samples due to removal of
selected spots analysis, oxygen and carbon were pre- insoluble clay-sand, which allows getting a higher res-
dominant elements, except in D sample, where oxy- olution of other chemical compounds.
gen and sodium were the most abundant. The third
more abundant element in samples A, B, and C was From diffraction patterns it was possible to iden-
sodium. Elemental composition was a function of mor- tify four chemical compounds in samples A, B, C, and
phology type. Excluding A sample, all samples had D: NaCl, trona (sodium sesquicarbonate), SiO2,
a high amount of carbon and less silicon in rod-type and Na 2CO3. Contrariwise, in sample E, SiO2 was not
morphology than in agglomerate morphology types. detected but two other chemical compounds differ-
ent from trona and NaCl were distinguished: KCl and
Elemental analysis on selected spots of sample K2SO4. All identified compounds agree with elemental
E is shown in table 3 indicating presence of carbon, analysis previously described, with exception of hy-
oxygen, sodium, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, and potas- drogen owing to reason explained under methodology.
sium. As in raw tequesquite samples, elemental com-
position was also a function of morphology type. In Different micrographs of tequesquite samples are
agglomerate and crystal-type morphologies (the latter shown in figure 3 that correspond to rod-type crystal
was a remarkable morphology for this sample), the morphology. It can be seen that in sample E this struc-
most abundant element was oxygen, and carbon pre- ture has a higher resolution than in the rest of samples.
dominated in the rod morphology type. In this sample
no magnesium, aluminum, phosphorus neither iron
were detected, and silicon was only detected in rod- DISCUSSION
type morphology in a smaller proportion than in the
rest of the samples. In addition, it can be observed that Traditional use of tequesquite in Mexico is mainly
amounts of sodium and sulfur in this sample were con- in food cooking, after its solubilization in water to
siderably higher as compared to raw samples. This can eliminate clays, sand and other impurities that could
be explained by the fact that these two elements are
negatively affect the quality of the processed food. Ac-
conjugated with other elements, forming water solu-
cording to information in tables 1 and 3, tequesquite's
ble compounds (chemical compounds that remain un-
solution contributes with sodium and potassium ions,
affected by the separation processes) that became
responsible of salt taste otherwise added as NaCl dur-
concentrated in TSFIM preparation.
ing cooking. Concentration of bicarbonate and car-
The high amount of sulfur here detected could be bonate and high pH value (related with NaOH and KOH
related with TSFIM color of solution, once non-soluble content), act as softener of hard seeds and cactus and
particles were discarded (red-brownish). help to preserve a vivid green color in vegetables.
34 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39
ISSN 0188-6266
Table 2.
Elemental composition percentage (weight) of tequesquite raw samples (A, B, C and D). Percentages are shown for each kind of morphology and the average is for
each element; limits are for the standard error values.
Morphology
Agglomerate Average
Agglomerate (bulk) Rod
(powder-like)
Sample Element % % % %
C 34.8 28.49 27.57 30.29 2.27
O 38.41 39.68 40.25 39.45 0.54
Na 20.13 26.03 26.52 24.23 2.05
Mg 0.91 0.94 0.95 0.93 0.01
Al 0.88 0.73 0.92 0.84 0.06
A
Si 2.44 2.53 2.71 2.56 0.08
P 0.35 n/d n/d -
S 0.62 0.18 0.16 0.32 0.15
Cl 0.9 1.28 0.76 0.98 0.16
K 0.56 0.13 0.17 0.29 0.14
C 23.87 22.85 30.36 25.69 2.35
O 42.66 41.84 41.54 42.01 0.33
Na 20.36 17.2 16.41 17.99 1.21
Mg 1.32 1.3 1.33 1.32 0.01
Al 3.87 5.75 3.96 4.53 0.61
B
Si 5.24 8.6 5.13 6.32 1.14
S 0.66 0.45 0.25 0.45 0.12
Cl 1.47 1.41 0.74 1.21 0.23
K 0.48 0.44 0.2 0.37 0.09
Fe 0.07 0.16 0.08 0.10 0.03
C 28.97 22.55 48.97 33.50 7.96
O 43.04 42.3 34.07 39.80 2.87
Na 14.64 20.37 9.66 14.89 3.09
Mg 1.66 1.2 0.46 1.11 0.35
Al 4.02 4.14 3.6 3.92 0.16
C Si 6.29 5.95 2.22 4.82 1.30
P n/d 0.23 n/d -
S 0.26 0.48 0.19 0.31 0.09
Cl 0.8 2.29 0.65 1.25 0.52
K 0.26 0.41 0.13 0.27 0.08
Fe 0.06 0.07 0.05 0.06 0.01
C 14.34 20.19 29.66 21.40 4.46
O 43.3 41.51 40.2 41.67 0.90
Na 27.12 21.5 20.72 23.11 2.02
Mg 1.29 1.44 0.89 1.21 0.16
Al 3.78 8.36 3.97 5.37 1.50
D
Si 6.36 5.14 3.14 4.88 0.94
S 0.42 0.32 0.17 0.30 0.07
Cl 2.91 1.19 0.99 1.70 0.61
K 0.41 0.3 0.2 0.30 0.06
Fe 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.01
Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 35
ISSN 0188-6266
36 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39
ISSN 0188-6266
Table 3.
Elemental composition percentage (weight) of sample E. Percentages are shown for each kind of morphology and the average ( standard error limits)
for each element.
Morphology
Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 37
ISSN 0188-6266
It was found that mineral complex known in Mexico as Dondi, M. (1999). Clay materials for ceramic tiles from the Sassuolo District (North-
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SEM-XRADE allowed us to discard presence of toxic
ejpe.2013.10.009
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ferent sources has the same chemical compounds, lgico de Mxico.
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Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39
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Detailed chemical composition of tequesquite, a pre-Hispanic and traditional mineral resource used in
Mexico for culinary purposes | Dante Ivo Flores-Hernndez, Fernando Martnez-Jernimo | pp. 31-39 Vol. 26 No. 5 Septiembre-Octubre 2016 39