Nitrate content in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) from organic and conventional origin: intake assessment.
To estimate the actual intake of nitrate by consumption of different lettuce varieties, 52 samples of lettuce of different origins and dandelion from 15 different areas of northeast Slovenia were analysed. For determination of actual nitrate content, a continuous flow method was used. The lowest nitrate content was detected in dandelion, with a mean value of 195 mg kg(-1) (ranging 47-487 mg kg(-1)). Nitrate content in lettuce of different origins ranged 85-3237 mg kg(-1), with a mean value of 1196 mg kg(-1). The mean nitrate content in organically cultivated lettuce was 890 mg kg(-1), which was considerably lower than the nitrate level in conventionally cultivated lettuce (1298 mg kg(-1)). Consumption of 100 g of dandelion would result in a maximal nitrate intake corresponding to 22% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI), with values up to seven times higher for lettuce.
a Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences , University of Maribor , Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče , Maribor , Slovenia.
Alenka Hmelak
AH
Gorenjak
Urška Rizman
UR
Koležnik
Avrelija
A
Cencič
D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005502:Food; D018545:Lactuca / Q000737:chemistry*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D011786:Quality Control; D031205:Taraxacum / Q000737:chemistry*
D009566:Nitrates
nitrate; nitrite; vegetables