NITRATE CONTENT AND NITRATE-REDUCTASE ACTIVITY IN VEGETABLES COLLECTED AT THE CITY MARKET IN BANJA LUKA AND THE RISK ASSESSMENT

Abstract

The high content of nitrates and nitrites in vegetables can have toxic and carcinogenic effects on the human body, and monitoring is necessary in order to apply appropriate protective measures. The aim of the research in this paper was to determine the nitrate content and monitor the activity of nitrate reductase in vegetables (chard, carrots, parsley, cabbage) taken from various stands of the city market in Banja Luka. The average concentration of nitrate in vegetable samples ranged from 1 to 650 mgkg-1, with the highest values obtained in chard and cabbage, and the lowest in parsley root. The nitrate reductase activity was increased in chard, while the lowest was found in parsley root. The nitrate content in the vegetable samples was within the limits prescribed by the World Health Organization so there is no potential danger to human health.