Comparative Effects of Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems on Trace Elements Contents in Vegetable Brassicaceae: Risk Assessment

Fernando Cámara-Martos,Luis Rubio-Pedraza,Antonio De Haro-Bailón,Jesús Sevillano-Morales,Jesús Bonilla-Herrera

doi:10.3390/app11020707

Fernando Cámara-Martos, Luis Rubio-Pedraza + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020707

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Abstract

Genotypes selected from 3 plant species (Brassica rapa, Eruca vesicaria and Sinapis alba) belonging to the Brassicaceae family were chosen to compare the concentrations of 9 inorganic elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in these varieties, that were grown under both conventional and organic conditions during two agricultural seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) on two different experimental farms (Farm I and Farm II). We found that, together with agriculture practices, the inorganic element concentrations in Brassicas depended on many other factors, including soil characteristics. However, there were no conclusive results indicating a lower heavy metal content or a higher nutritionally beneficial trace elements content in vegetables grown under organic agriculture. Finally, a probabilistic assessment (@Risk) derived from the consumption of 150–200 g of these vegetables showed that organic Brassicas fulfill in comparison with the conventional ones, similar Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) percentages for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Regarding heavy metals (Cd, Ni and Pb), we only found slight differences (mainly in the case of Pb) in the Tolerable Intakes (TI) between both cropping systems.

Highlights

Nowadays, the maintenance of a good health status via appropriate dietary habits has become of great social concern, but we have to bear in mind what has been called the “health trilemma”, which tells us that food, health and the environment are closely linked, should be borne in mind, in order to establish a balance between them for a healthier life on a more sustainable planet.Currently, the consumption of plant-based foods with nutraceutical properties is one of the crucial factors for the welfare and promotion of health, preventing various pathologies like cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [1,2]
Genotypes selected from 3 plant species belonging to the Brassicaceae family were chosen based on previous studies showing their differences in their glucosinolates profile and trace elements concentration: Brassica rapa L., Eruca vesicaria L. and Sinapis alba L
The concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Zn for organic turnip greens (Brassica rapa) grown on Farm II were 7.4; 100.4 and 24.4 μg/g d.w. The concentrations of these trace elements in ones conventionally grown on the same farm were practically the same, with values of 7.5; 110.8 and 22.9 μg/g d.w

Summary

Introduction

The maintenance of a good health status via appropriate dietary habits has become of great social concern, but we have to bear in mind what has been called the “health trilemma”, which tells us that food, health and the environment are closely linked, should be borne in mind, in order to establish a balance between them for a healthier life on a more sustainable planet.Currently, the consumption of plant-based foods with nutraceutical properties is one of the crucial factors for the welfare and promotion of health, preventing various pathologies like cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [1,2]. In recent years, developed countries have been showing a greater interest in organic agriculture, with an increase of around 250% in the last 10 years [7]. This type of agriculture is based on the non-use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and, instead, fertilization of the land with composted material, rich in organic matter, derived from the biodegradation of plant and animal sources [8]

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