The content of chemical elements in the oil and seeds of dwarf cedar pine (Pinus pumila) from an environmentally clean area of the Magadan Region
E. A. LUGOVAYA, E. M. STEPANOVA
Scientific Research Center “Arktika”, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, Russia
Keywords: macro- and microelements, daily needs, dwarf cedar pine, pine seeds, raw cedar nut oil, the North
Abstract
To specify the region-associated mineral composition of the raw nut oil and seeds of the dwarf cedar pine (Pinus pumila) growing in an environmentally clean area of the Magadan Region, the content of 25 macro- and microelements in the raw materials was analysed. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the raw cedar nut oil is a source of the important trace elements - Zn and Cr. It has been determined that pine nuts can be considered as valuable food item because the inclusion of nuts in the diet in the amount of only 100 g can half satisfy the adult daily needs for Mg, P, Cu, Se, and Zn. This allows us to recommend raw cedar nut oil and pine seeds to be included into daily diet as a biologically active additive, which will replenish the deficiency of some vitally essential macro- and microelements for persons of any age when taken regularly in the amount not more than 1-2 teaspoons a day. No excess of the permissible levels of toxic elements in the studied samples was found, which confirms the environmental safety of the areas where the wild nut bush grows.
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