Accumulation of macro- and microelements in leaves of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.)

Studies of the ultimate composition of wild-growing raw materials are relevant and significant due to the high efficiency and bioavailability of organometallic forms contained in plants. However, the available information on the content of elements in the medicinal plant raw materials in the Voronezh region concerns only a few elements. The lack of information does not allow us to determine the complete chemical composition of plants and to describe how the entire complex of mineral substances is accumulated in them. The aim of the study is to examine how macro- and trace elements are accumulated in the leaves of the stinging nettle in natural plant community of the Voronezh region. Materials and Methods. The harvesting of medicinal plant raw materials was carried out in the Voronezh State Nature Biosphere Reserve during the flowering period. The trace element sample composition was studied mass-spectroscopically (ELAN-DRC). Results. The proportion of trace elements in the leaves of stinging nettle was 7.68 %, in absolutely dry raw material equivalent. Only 59 elements were found in its leaves. Of these, 86.87 % were macroelements, the main ones being potassium (>26.5 mg/g) and calcium (>26 mg/g). Essential trace elements made up 12.68 % of the total plant mineral complex. Silicon (>9.2 mg/g) and iron (>0.3 mg/g) dominated among trace elements. The content of standardized heavy metals and arsenic corresponded to regulatory documentation. The proportion of toxic and under-investigated elements was 0.45 %. The highest content was observed for strontium (156.78 Mg/g), aluminum (128.4 Mg/g), barium (31.16 Mg/g), rubidium (21.5 Mg/g), titanium (3.26 Mg /g), and tin (1.35 ftg/g). Thus, the leaves of stinging nettle easily accumulated phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, copper, zinc, mercury, strontium, tin, nickel, chromium, manganese, cadmium, and rubidium from the soil.