Concentration of heavy metals in the leaves of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Lamiaceae) cultivated in urban habitats of Belgrade

Abstract

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Lamiaceae) is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in urban areas. Due to essential oil, carnosic and rosmarinic acid, its leaves have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Rosemary leaves are traditionally used as a bath additive for mild muscle and joint pain and peripheral circulatory disorders, as well as in herbal teas for dyspepsia and mild gastrointestinal spasms. Rosemary is also a common culinary spice. Given the potential health adverse effects of heavy metals accumulated from environmental pollution and pesticide residues, this study analyzed Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations in rosemary leaf samples from seven locations in central and peripheral Belgrade and in two commercial samples. The dried leaves were subjected to microwave mineralization with nitric acid, and metal concentrations were measured by ICPOES. All samples contained heavy metals below the limits for herbal products according to national and European regulations. The highest levels of Hg and Pb were found in a commercial sample from Morocco, while Cd was most abundant in samples from Zemun. The lowest metal levels were found in a sample from the Faculty of Pharmacy’s garden in the outskirts of Belgrade. Acknowledgements: This research was funded by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Republic of Serbia through two Grant Agreements with University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy No. 451-03-136/2025-03/200161 and 451-03137/2025-03/200161