Soil-to-plant transfer factor for stable elements in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and estimates of the daily intakes

This study evaluated the transfer factor (TF) of stable elements from soil to Melissa officinalis and the estimated daily intakes for potentially toxic elements. INAA, GFAAS, and ICP-OES techniques were applied to determine the elemental concentration. Br, Ca, Cd, K, Ni, and Rb accumulated the most with the TF (> 1.0), followed by Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sb, and Zn (0.1-1.0), while As, Fe, Hf, La, Sc, Sm, Th, Ti, and V had the lowest accumulation (< 0.1). The daily intake (mu g day(- 1)) of As (1.35-10.35), Br (22.5-297), Cd (0.09-0.54), Cr (220-1,270), Cu (31.5-76.5), Ni (0.09-0.54), Pb (4.5-31.5), and Zn (139.5-400.5) even overestimated was still lower than values established by WHO/FAO.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the transfer factor of stable elements from soil to Melissa officinalis and estimated the daily intakes for potentially toxic elements. The results showed that some elements accumulated in the plant exceeded recommended intake levels, but were still lower than the limits established by WHO/FAO.