Macro and microelements in the leaf and extract of nettle from different localities of Montenegro

Abstract: In this study, the content of 11 bioelements and 3 heavy metals in the dry nettle leaf and its water extract was investigated. Nettles were sampled from three different locations in Montenegro (northern, central and southern region). The determination of elements was done using the ICP – OES method. The bioelement content varies with geographic and climatic characteristics. Out of the four macroelements, whose presence was examined in nettle, the highest content is Ca, followed by K, then Mg, and the lowest is Na. Meanwhile, when it comes to microelements, the highest content is Fe, followed by Mn, Zn, and Cu. The amount of Fe as well as Ca and Mg was the most prominent in the sample from the mountain location, while the highest quantities of Cu and K were found in the samples from lower altitudes. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of daily biometal requirements met through the consumption of nettles, either as a vegetable or as tea. By consuming nettle (5g/d), the greatest fulfilment of daily needs is achieved for Ca, Mg, K, Mn and Fe (52-5%), while the percentage of meeting daily needs for Na is negligible (below 0.04). The high content of K and the low content of Na qualify nettle to maintain a good balance of these electrolytes in the human body, which can be disturbed by an improper diet. The content of toxic metals (Pb, Cd and As) was below the quantification limit of the method