METALLOME OF ORIGANUM VULGARE: THE UNKNOWN SIDE OF A MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANT USED WORLDWIDE

Potential health benefits of aromatic and medicinal plants connected to their content in minerals are usually not evoked by the relevant literature. However, they may be significant for persons using regularly phytotherapy, as well as for those adopting diets which are rich in herbal spices. In this context, we performed an extensive investigation of metal and metalloid elements present in different populations of wild-growing Origanum vulgare samples from Romania. Forty-nine elements were identified and quantified through inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results were discussed as to their significance for human health. The present study provides, for the first time, a complete set of reference data on the mineral content of Origanum vulgare from South-Western Romania. Rezumat Aportul elementelor minerale din plantele medicinale si aromatice la menţinerea stării de sănătate este rareori abordată in literatura de specialitate. Totuși, această contribuţie ar putea fi semnificativă la persoanele care recurg in mod regulat la fitoterapie, precum si la cele care adoptă o alimentaţie bogată in condimente vegetale. In acest context a fost realizată o analiză extensivă a elementelor metalice si metaloizilor prezenţi in diferite populaţii de sovârf (Origanum vulgare) din flora spontană a României. Patruzeci si nouă de elemente au fost identificate si cuantificate prin inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Rezultatele au fost analizate sub aspectul semnificaţiei lor pentru sănătatea umană. Prezentul studiu oferă, pentru prima dată, un set complet de date de referinţă pentru conţinutul in elemente minerale ale speciei Origanum vulgare din sud-vestul României.

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