Cadmium content in the tree saps from Podkarpacie region

Abstract

Tree saps have been collected for centuries to obtain nutritional and medicinal benefits. Contemporary researches are confirming the validity of folk customs applications of tree saps, mainly due to high concentrations of metallic elements, classified as minerals. But the question arises, whether with their high content in tree saps, at the same time, there are also heavy metals. In the present study, the cadmium content in the saps of eight species of trees has been estimated. The reported content did not exceed the permissible standards. However, taking into account that the tree saps were collected from the environmentally clean area, the obtained results may indicate the potential risk to consumers receiving and consuming saps from positions exposed to industrial and agricultural pollutions.