<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this study was to determine and compare Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sr, Pb, and Zn content in medicinal herbs <italic>Urtica dioica</italic> L., <italic>Taraxacum officinale</italic>, and <italic>Matricaria recutita</italic> growing in polluted and unpolluted areas of the Republic of Macedonia. The metal content was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). In the unpolluted area of Mt. Plačkovica the metal content in <italic>Taraxacum officinale</italic> was in the descending order: Fe>Sr>Zn>Ba>Cr, while Pb and Cd were below the limit of detection. In the polluted area of Veles, the order was as follows: Fe>Zn>Sr>Pb>Ba>Cd>Cr. Our results suggest that quality assurance and monitoring of toxic metals is needed for plants intended for human use and consumption. Medicinal plants should be picked in areas free of any contamination sources.</p></abstract>

The aim of this study was to determine and compare Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sr, Pb, and Zn content in medicinal herbs Urtica dioica L., Taraxacum officinale, and Matricaria recutita growing in polluted and unpolluted areas of the Republic of Macedonia. The metal content was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). In the unpolluted area of Mt. Plačkovica the metal content in Taraxacum officinale was in the descending order: Fe>Sr>Zn>Ba>Cr, while Pb and Cd were below the limit of detection. In the polluted area of Veles, the order was as follows: Fe>Zn>Sr>Pb>Ba>Cd>Cr. Our results suggest that quality assurance and monitoring of toxic metals is needed for plants intended for human use and consumption. Medicinal plants should be picked in areas free of any contamination sources.

Content of Toxic and Essential Metals in Medicinal Herbs Growing in Polluted and Unpolluted Areas of Macedonia

Faculty of Medical Sciences, "Goce Delčev" University, Skopje, Macedonia

Faculty of Pharmacy, "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University, Skopje, Macedonia

Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University, Skopje, Macedonia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

The aim of this study was to determine and compare Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sr, Pb, and Zn content in medicinal herbs Urtica dioica L., Taraxacum officinale, and...

Content of Toxic and Essential Metals in Medicinal Herbs Growing in Polluted and Unpolluted Areas of Macedonia

Published Online: Sep 22, 2010

Page range: 297 - 303

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2022

Keywords
Ba, Cd, Cr, Fe, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica,

This content is open access.

Content of Toxic and Essential Metals in Medicinal Herbs Growing in Polluted and Unpolluted Areas of Macedonia

Published Online: Sep 22, 2010

Page range: 297 - 303

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2022

KeywordsBa, Cd, Cr, Fe, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica,

This content is open access.

Keywords
Ba, Cd, Cr, Fe, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica,