The effect of pumpkin varieties on the content of selected toxic elements from south-eastern Poland

The purpose of the work was to determine the degree of absorption of trace elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Ga, Li, Pb, Rb, Sr, V) from the soil and their accumulation by different species and varieties of pumpkins. An additional aim was to estimate health risk assessment of toxic elements by HQ calculations. In species Cucurbita maxima the following pumpkin cultivars were used: Australian butter, Flat white boer, Garbo, Golden delicious, Golden nugget, Hokkaido, Solor and Zapallito de tronco. In species Cucurbita pepo the following pumpkin cultivars were used: American tondo, Baby bear, Delicata, Kakai, Kamokamo, Macaroni dumpling, Sweet dumpling, Thelma sanders, Winter luxury, and Shellless Olga. Our research showed moderate absorption for Rb, while weak for B, Sr and Ga. For most of the elements studied (Al, V, Li, Pb, Cd, As, Ba), BAC values were very low, which is why it can be stated that there is very weak absorption. According to results obtained for assessment of human health risk (HQ) caused by consumption of pumpkin, acute health risk can be characterized as low since HQ values for all investigated toxic elements did not exceed 1. The findings of this research revealed that the pumpkins grown in the county of Hrubieszow (Lublin Voivodeship, south-eastern Poland) region contain low concentrations of potentially toxic elements. Concentrations of toxic elements in pumpkins did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations regulated by EU normative document. Because acute health risk for all investigated toxic elements and its biological absorption are very low, pumpkin in the county of Hrubieszow can be a valuable and safe ingredient in the diet.