Natalia Borodina, Ain Raal, Volodimir Kovalyov, Оleh Koshovyi, Tetiana Ilina

Abstract

Determination of the mineral composition is important for further study and standardization of the dried branches of the species from the Salix (willow) family genus and extracts from the plant material. The study aimed to determine the qualitative and quantitative content of macro- and microelements in some representatives of the Salix spp. growing in Ukraine in comparison with soils and extracts of plant material. The elemental composition of the branches of Salix cinerea L., S. incana Schrank, S. cаprea L., S. sachalinensis F. Schmidt, S. acutifolia L., S. fragilis L., S. caspica Pall., S. rosmarinifolia L., and S. myrsinifolia Salisb was determined using atomic emission spectrometry with photographic registration for the first time. The method used allowed us to determine the presence of 5 macro- (К, Na, Ca, Р, Mg) and 14 microelements (Fe, Si, Мn, Al, Sr, Zn, Ni, Mo, Cu, Co, Pb, Cd, As, Hg), and the content of 14 elements were quantified in the dried branches of the Salix spp. plants. The ability to accumulate and a relatively high content of micro- and macroelements, as well as low content of toxic microelements (Co, Pb, Cd, As, Hg) in willow branches, allow considering them as a promising but safe source of biologically available microelements. There were typically not correlations between concentrations of micro- and macroelements in plant material and soils. The maximum levels of macroelements and microelements were found in Salix species collected in the Kharkiv region, and in the Zakarpatye region, respectively. The elemental composition in the Salix sachalinensis F. Schmidt was quite different if compared with all others.