Potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in plants are absorbed and accumulated in various parts of the plants. Due to the risk associated with consuming vegetables contaminated with PTMs, it is essential to determine the distribution of these metals in plants. Vegetables grown in soils contaminated by PTMs from a decommissioned manganese mine in Bahia, Brazil, were assessed for metal uptake and distribution. This study focused on Arugula (Eruca sativa) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), chosen for their metal bioaccumulation properties and their role in the human diet. The metal concentration in the Arugula followed the order Fe > Mn > Cu > Cr > Tl > Co > Cd > Pb, while in lettuce, it was Mn > Fe > Cr > Tl > Co > Cu > Cd > Pb. A significant positive correlation between Mn and other metals suggests a common contamination source. The findings highlight a food safety risk from consuming these vegetables. Combining the PTMs bioaccumulation coefficient with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) effectively distinguished between plant types and parts, providing valuable insights into PTMs transfer from soil to the food chain