DETERMINATION OF MACRONUTRIENTS, MICRONUTRIENTS AND HEAVY METALS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF SAMBUCUS NIGRA FROM KOSOVO

The aim of this study was the determination of macroelements, microelements, heavy metals, and potentially toxic elements in spontaneous leaves and flowers of Sambucus nigra collected in different localities in Kosovo. The plant material was air-dried, packed in paper bags, and kept in a dark and cold place until analysis. Samples were digested in a microwave system by the wet digestion method. The minerals were determined by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) method and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The leaves exhibit a very similar mineral profile to the flowers of S. nigra. Variation in the content of the elements between leaves and flowers of S. nigra was observed with respect to geographical localities.