COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF IRON LEVELS IN CABBAGE AND EGGPLANT FROM THE VELES AND BITOLA REGIONS IN R. N. MACEDONIA
Katerina TEMELKOVSKA RISTEVSKA, Sanja M. PETROVIĆ, Saša SAVIĆ, Viktorija STAMATOVSKA, Tatjana BLAZHEVSKA, Gorica PAVLOVSKA
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is a crucial micronutrient involved in oxygen transport, cellular respiration, as well as various metabolic processes in humans, including DNA synthesis, electron transport, vital enzymatic activities, and cellular energy generation. The aim of this study was to determine the iron concentration in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. alba) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) from different locations within two regions. Iron concentrations were determined in cabbage and eggplant samples collected from six locations within the Veles and Bitola regions of R. N. Macedonia. Quantitative analysis of Fe was performed using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results are expressed on both a dry weight (DW) and fresh weight (FW) basis. The percentage of dry matter and water content in the samples is also presented. The estimated daily intake of iron from these vegetables for adults and children was calculated. The concentration of Fe in cabbage ranged from 7.44 to 33.57 mg/kg DW and 0.58 to 2.35 mg/kg FW, while in eggplant, it ranged from 4.29 to 30.35 mg/kg DW and 0.35 to 2.72 mg/kg FW. The estimated daily iron intake ranged from 0.07 to 0.67 mg/day for adults and 0.041 to 0.464 mg/day for children. Variations in iron concentration were observed in both cabbage and eggplant depending on the cultivation location The ANOVA test revealed a statistically significant difference in iron concentration between cabbage and eggplant, as well as between the two cultivation regions.
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