The presence of nitrates (NO3-) and nitrites (NO2-) in agricultural products produced according to different agricultural practice and geographical origin was studied within the frame of this dissertation. Validated and accredited analytical method was used to determine nitrates and nitrites in plant samples. A multi-annual monitoring carried out at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, vegetables and arable crops (lettuce, cabbage, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes) were sampled on various production areas and markets in Slovenia. Additionally, vegetables that have high capacity to accumulate nitrate (rucola, lamb’s lettuce, chard, spinach, leaf chicory) were included in this study. Attention was also given to some fruit and cereal samples. The results showed that among vegetables ruccola accumulated the most nitrates, followed by lamb’s lettuce, chard and spinach. Unlike other vegetables, higher nitrate values were determined in lettuce and cabbage. Fruit and cereals samples contained less nitrates than vegetables. The nitrite content (NO2-) of three agricultural product groups (vegetable, fruits and cereals) were significantly lower than the nitrate content (NO3-). The results of the study showed that vegetables of foreign origin contained higher values of nitrates than vegetables of domestic origin. We found that the label "ECO or Organic Product" does not guarantee an adequate quality to the consumer and in some cases, we came to entirely opposite conclusions. The results also demonstrated that the legally prescribed maximum levels of nitrate in vegetables were exceeded, as well as the Acceptable Daily Intake of NO3- and NO2- in the human body (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1258/2011 …, 2011; Opinion …, 2008).
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