Comparative study on the elemental composition of different parts of cultivated Physalis alkekengi (Solanaceae)

Abstract

This study aimed at analyzing and comparing the elemental composition of different parts of cultivated Physalis alkekengi (ljoskavac): rhizome with roots, stem with leaves, fruit, and inflated calyx. The contents of twenty- -one macro- and micro-elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). In addition, the patterns of the distributions of both macro- and micro-elements were subjected to AHC analysis which gave different grouping of samples in sub-clusters. Generally, potassium, calcium, iron, and aluminum were the most abundant elements, but with different distribution in examined parts. High contents of iron and aluminum were detected in a stem with leaves, followed with samples of rhizome with roots and calyx, while potassium dominates in samples of calyx and stem with leaves. Edible fruits did not contain potentially toxic metals in concentration higher than permissible limits, wherein the lowest contents of lead and aluminum were detected; cadmium was under limit of quantification. Arsenic, mercury, and thallium were below the method detection limit.