Abstract
Herbs are commonly used in traditional medicine and as spice around the world. They consist of a number minerals essential to human health and nutrition. Many of these microelements are crucial for various metabolic processes and needed for normal physiological functions. The concentration of some essential metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cr) and heavy metals (Pb, Ni, and Cd) were analyzed in selected samples of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) collected from different locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Preparation of samples was done using wet digestion with acids, in triplicate and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentration (mg kg−1) of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Ni ranged from 68.79–152.6; 17.48–27.30; 4.63–6.96; 16.81–51.28; 0.023–0.036; 0.0020–0.0204; and 0.39–2.37, respectively. Cadmium was not detected in any analyzed samples of oregano. These results were in agreement with other published data except in the case of Pb which content was lower and within the permissible limit; and for Cd which do not detected during analysis. Thus, on the basis of experimental outcome, it can be concluded that oregano collected from various locations from BiH are safe and may not produce any harmful effect of metals toxicity during their applications as spices as well as in different pharmaceutical formulations.
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Behmen, F., Mandal, Š., Dundović, V., Delić, M., Murtić, S. (2022). Determination of Trace and Heavy Metals in Selected Samples of Oregano (Origanum Vulgare L.) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In: Brka, M., et al. 10th Central European Congress on Food. CE-Food 2020. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04797-8_14
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