Determination of potentially toxic elements in some wild edible and medicinal plants

The aim of this research was to determine the Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb contents in following wild plants: dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.), broad-leaved plantain (Plantago major L.), ribwort lanceolata L.) collected from natural environment at three different locations north Republic Srpska, surroundings Banja Luka (two localities) Doboj (one locality). examined species represent edible medical plants, most commonly used folk medicine. Plant material associated soils were air-dried, acid digested, analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). results have shown highest Zn all which followed other determined biogenic elements (Ni Cu), while toxic (Pb Cd) noticeably lower. potentially plants lower than recommended limits toxicity, with exception location L3-Stanari where elevated Ni found soil. This implies an evident risk case consumption grown need for further investigation order establish exact degree contamination implement proper activities.