Evaluation of Seasonal Changes in the Content of Trace Elements in Satureja kitaibelii

Abstract

This study aimed at combined chemical and chemometric analysis of seasonal variation in trace element (TE) contents (B, Si, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. (savory) and its growing soil, with emphasis on potential aspects of health promotion. The lowest contents of the studied elements in the soil, except for silicon, were recorded in the vegetative stage. In the plant, the boron content is the highest: 10.5–14.9 mg kg⁻¹ and the chromium content is the lowest: 0.17–1.2 mg kg⁻¹. The highest values of soil-to-plant transfer factor (TF) were recorded for five elements (except Si and Cr) in the vegetative stage. Savory can be considered an accumulator of boron. The statistical and chemometric analysis confirmed a variation in TE content of studied soil and plant samples. This study revealed that savory from Serbia to be a potential source of valuable TEs. A significant percentage of daily intake of B, Cr, and Ni, can be provided with three cups of tea per day of plants collected in the vegetative and flowering stages.

Keywords:

• Chemometric analysis
• dietary intake
• Satureja kitaibelii
• seasonal changes
• trace element

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (Grant No: 451-03-68/2022-14/200113 and 451-03-68/2022-14/200124) for financial support.