Content of toxic and essential metals in medicinal herbs growing in polluted and unpolluted areas of Macedonia

Gjorgieva, Darinka; Kadifkova-Panovska, Tatjana; Baceva, Katerina; Stafilov, Trajce

doi:10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2022

Content of toxic and essential metals in medicinal herbs growing in polluted and unpolluted areas of Macedonia

Journal

Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju

Date Issued

2010-09

Author(s)

Gjorgieva, Darinka

Kadifkova-Panovska, Tatjana

Baceva, Katerina

Stafilov, Trajce

DOI

10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2022

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. Plackovica 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.