Food and drinking water are the main sources of trace and major elements. Besides the elements that are vitally essential for living organisms and human health, food may contain the traces of potentially toxic elements. Environmental site specific impact is one of the influencing factors of elemental content in plants that is important issue also for quality of food crops. Quantitative content of several trace elements (e.g., Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) detected in food crops reveal environmental background levels as well as it can be associated with unexpected food contamination. Current study involves quantitative analysis of more than 200 root vegetable samples (onions, carrots and potatoes) grown and collected in Latvia in the harvesting season of 2010. Within this study the quantitative analysis of vegetables for 9 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) was performed. After the wet digestion of samples, the quantitative analysis was done by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Obtained results revealed wide ranges of trace elements in root vegetables, including potentially toxic elements. Comparison of element content in edible parts of vegetables and potato peel showed that a great part of elements (e.g., As, Co, Cr, Pb) is concentrated in peel; however, some elements (e.g., Cd, Se, Zn) are taken up by plants, and therefore may contaminate food more easily. Element transfer routes and their biochemistry is a complicated issue that is affected by natural environmental factors as well as by anthropogenic activities.

The high toxicity, bioaccumulative and increased distribution of cadmium (Cd) in the environment, makes it the most dangerous to any biological system, including immune system in human and animals. The effect of dietary intake of Cd (8.25 mg per kg) on accumulation and distribution of this heavy metal in various tissues, and functional changes in organs of immunity (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, spleen) in 35-day-old broiler cockerels were investigated, using biochemical and immunological methods. Significant increases in the Cd concentration both in central immunocompetent organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius) and peripheral (spleen) were established. Excessive tissue level of Cd induced the prooxidative effect of this heavy metal in the organs. It was manifested in an increase of cell membrane lipid peroxidation (the enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration) in immune system organs. The oxidative stress resulted in immunocompetent cell damage. The fall of vital dye absorptive ability of immunocyte indicated the increase in the injured cell number. This harmful effect is in accordance with T- and B (C3) – population prominent depletion, organ relative mass reduction, and growth retardation in chicks, and was established as a result of dietary Cd loading for 5 weeks of the experiment.

In Uzbekistan, the main food product is bread, which is produced in various forms from local and imported wheat. Most of it is not studied by microelement analysis. The objective of this study is to quantify trace elements in locally produced wheat from various cultivated regions of Uzbekistan. Four different varieties of wheat are cultivated in Sirdarya, Tashkent region, Kashkadarya and Fergana were selected for analysis. Next, a comparative analysis of the elemental composition like iron, zinc, potassium, calcium etc., in the selected samples were studied. To carry out the above aims, an innovative research method was chosen, which is called improved instrumental neutron activation analysis. This method differs from others in its high accuracy in determining trace elements and its multi-element nature. Using this method, we can understand how insufficient nutrients are in baked goods made from wheat grain grown in Uzbekistan. Based on the results of the study, it can be recommended to enrich the soil with fertilizers high in iron and zinc. As a result, in turn, will have a positive effect on the health of the population, since today there is a shortage of the above listed elements. It was also revealed that the concentration of potassium and calcium in wheat cultivated in Uzbekistan is in a high state than other elements. Using the chosen method, two toxic elements were determined and according to the analysis for toxic elements, all four samples are recommended for consumption, as they do not exceed the permissible level for food safety.