Quantitative assessment of toxic trace elements in local brands of tea in Macedonia

The effects from the accumulation of toxic trace elements and can influence the content of pharmacologically active compounds. Thus significantly changes the quality, safety and efficiency of the natural plants products. We have noticed before that Macedonian companies have export of a good quality raw material to processing and import of final products with added value. Because we were suspicious from pharmacological and toxicological point of view, we made a research of 15 local brands of various teas which could be found in the markets in Macedonia. Toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd) were analyzed by ETAAS, mercury (Hg) was analyzed by FIMS technique and arsenic (As) was analyzed by FIAS. Results expressed on dry matter indicated that not all tested trace elements as lead, cadmium; mercury and arsenic are found in the analyzed samples. Under the current legislation there is a restriction on the Maximum allowable Concentration for lead at 0.1 mg/kg and for cadmium at 0.05 mg/kg expressed on fresh herbs and there are not limits for arsenic and mercury content. Therefore, we can conclude, that not all of the 15 local brands of various teas which could be found in the market in Macedonia are safe for consumption