Toxic Metals in Different Varieties of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides, L) (Oblepiha, Siberian pineapple, Sandorn, Sha-ji), from the Eleagnaceae family, is one of the most important and leading sources of pharmaceutical, nutritional, and cosmetic products in Tibet, Russia, and China. Hippophae oil is an important component of the cream for protection from cosmic radiation, tan-enhancing, cell tissue regeneration, wound healing, and antiaging properties. It is a good source of natural antioxidants, and is used to boost the body immune system, adaptation to extreme conditions, and increased performance body performance. The fruits, seeds, leaves, and cork contain a large amount of chemical elements, essential oils, vitamins A, B, C, E, carotenoids, flavonoids, palmitic and palmitoleic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, α-sitosterol, proteins, minerals, and many other bioactive compounds. As part of the selection and genetic improvement program to develop superior varieties of higher fruit yield, quality and resistance, varietal difference in the uptake or accumulation of heavy (toxic) metals in the berries was investigated. The variation in the content or accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Fe in the berries of three varieties of Hippophae (Chuiskaja, Zivko, and Chechek) with differing morphological, and fruit quality was studied. The plants were grown under similar conditions, at Lisavenko Inst. for fruit trees research in Russia. There was a significant difference in the concentration of the metals among the three varieties. Variety `Tchuiiskaja' was found to have significantly higher concentration (P < 0.05) of Cu, Pb, and Fe. The lowest concentration of the metals was recorded for the variety `Chechek'. The obtained results enable us to suggest, that the Hippophae varieties may significantly vary in the accumulation toxic elements in their berries. This fact should be well considered during selection and improvement program for Hippophae.