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Background and aimsRumex alpinus is a native plant in the mountains of Europe whose distribution has partly been affected by its utilization as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The distribution of micro and risk elements in its organs is not well-known. The study examined the safety of consuming Rumex alpinus from the Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic, and the Alps (Austria and Italy).MethodsWe determined the total and plant-available content of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the soil and total content in organs of Rumex alpinus.ResultsThe uptake and distribution of elements by plants were characterized by bioaccumulation (BF) and translocation (TF) factors. The intensity of elements accumulation by Rumex alpinus is considerably different, depending on locality. Rumex alpinus has considerable tolerance to Zn, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, with an easy accumulation strategy. High Al and Cd content in belowground biomass (rhizome) indicate a defensive mechanism for them. Although the aboveground biomass (emerging, senescent, mature leaves, petiole) has some degree of accumulation of risk elements, the results showed that Rumex alpinus is an excluder.ConclusionRumex alpinus does not accumulate risk elements in organs that are consumed based on the World Health Organization (2001) and can therefore be consumed without concern. |