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Comparison of Heavy Metal Intake by Different Species of the Genus Allium L.

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Abstract

Allium vegetables belong to the most widespread and commonly grown vegetables in Slovakia. In this study, we dealt with the content of selected heavy metals (Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd) in cultivated garlic (Záhorský, Lukan, Makoi), onion (Amika, Red Matte, Diamant), and leek (Bavaria, Golem, Tango). We determined the total content of heavy metals (aqua regia), and available-mobile forms of heavy metals (1 M NH4NO3) in soils. Analytical final procedure was flame AAS. The results were compared with the limit values given by the Law no. 220/2004 (valid in the SR) as well as threshold values proposed by the European Commission (EC) (2006). Gained result showed that the total content of Cd (1.26 mg.kg-1) as well as the available mobile forms of Cd (0.16 mg.kg-1) and Pb (0.64 mg.kg-1) was exceeded on the soil on which Allium species were grown. Determined contents of heavy metals in garlic were in the range of 0.03–0.07 mg Cd.kg-1 FM (fresh matter), 0.02–0.11 mg Pb.kg-1 FM (fresh matter), in onion ranged from ND (not detected) to 0.03 mg Cd.kg-1 FM (fresh matter), 0.09–0.2 mg Pb.kg-1 FM (fresh matter), and in leek were in the range of, 0.07–0.13 mg Cd.kg-1 FM (fresh matter), and 0.3–0.5 mg Pb.kg-1 FM (fresh matter). Based on the obtained BAF values, we can conclude that the genus Allium does not belong to the accumulator of evaluated hazardous metals. Safe food production requires constant monitoring of hazardous metals in raw materials of plant origin, as these metals can have serious negative effects on human health.

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Funding

This work was supported by scientific grant VEGA 1/0114/18, scientific grant VEGA 1/0722/19 and Operational program Integrated Infrastructure within the project: demand-driven research for the sustainable and innovative food, Drive4SIFood 313011V336, cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76, Nitra, Slovak Republic

    Judita Lidiková, Natália Čeryová, Marek Šnirc, Alena Vollmannová & Janette Musilová

  2. Faculty of Agrobiotechnology and Food Resources, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76, Nitra, Slovak Republic

    Ján Brindza

  3. Department of Fruit Plants Acclimatisation, National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Timiryazevska 1, Kyiv, 04014, Ukraine

    Olga Grygorieva

  4. Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Department of Environmental Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76, Nitra, Slovak Republic

    Alexander Fehér

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  1. Judita Lidiková
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Lidiková, J., Čeryová, N., Šnirc, M. et al. Comparison of Heavy Metal Intake by Different Species of the Genus Allium L.. Biol Trace Elem Res 199, 4360–4369 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02536-7

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