Elemental composition of fruits from different Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) cultivars grown in the Czech Republic

Black elder is a deciduous shrub widely used in medicine, pharmacy and food industry. This study presents a comparison of the elemental composition of fruits (berries) from the Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) cultivars Albida, Bohatka, Dana, Heidegg13, Mammut and Sambo, grown in the Czech Republic and harvested in two seasons (2011 and 2013). The fruits were collected at full maturity from an experimental orchard at the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology, Holovousy Ltd. The raw material was decomposed using hot nitric acid and the determination of the elemental content (Ca, K, P, Zn. Cu, Mn, Na, Mg) was performed by inductively coupled atomic emission spectrometry in accordance with a valid ISO standard. Concentration of all the analyzed elements in the various Sambucus nigra cultivars was different, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). All the investigated cultivars were a good source of major and trace elements. The concentration of the analyzed elements in Sambucus nigra decreased in the following order K > Ca > P > Mg > Na > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. The results demonstrated that Sambucus nigra fruits can be used as functional food in prevention and treatment of diseases associated with deficiency of elements in the human diet. On average, 100 g of Sambucus nigra fruits can cover about 20% of the recommended dietary allowance of main elements for women and men. In terms of the content of individual elements, the cultivars Albida and Sambo have proven to be most promising. The chemical composition of Sambucus nigra varied with the year of harvest, but the variation in the elemental content did not exceed 20% in most cases.