DETERMINATION OF SOME ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN HERBAL TEAS FROM SERBIA USING ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY (AAS)

Levels of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were determined in 14 medicinal plants, which are widely used in phytopharmacy as herbal teas. The following plants were investigated: mountain yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), St. Jon’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.), field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.), thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), maize silk (Zea mays L.– Maydis stigma), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), rosehip/dogrose (Rosa canina L.), winter savory (Satureja montana L.) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). A total of 16 samples of different parts of medicinal plants (root, leaf, flower, whole plant) were examined, whereby 13 samples were delivered in original package and three samples were loose leaf herbs. Samples were prepared using the microwave digestion technique, and measurements were performed applying the atomic absorption spectrometry. Average contents of microelements in the examined samples were Mn (108.06±109.66
mg/kg); Fe (274.83±204.46 mg/kg); Cu (13.11±4.92 mg/kg) and Zn (38.53±23.26
mg/kg). According to determined amounts of Fe, Mn, Cu i Zn, the investigated
samples of herbal teas are considered safe for human consumption.