Content of heavy metals, macro- and microelements in apple fruits

The research evaluated the content of heavy metals, micro, and macronutrients in fruits of eight apple varieties - Red Del. Superchief, Fujion pbr, Enterprise, Pinova, Orion, Red Del. Mestar, Gemini and Crimson crisp, grown in orchard near Brestnik village, situated at 3.5 km distance from the potential source of pollution (the Holding KCM 2000) near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Significant varietal differences in the composition of the apple fruit were observed. The highest content of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, P, Mg and K were found in the variety Red Del. Superchief. Variety Pinova contained Ca and Hg, the variety Orion - Cr and Ni, and the variety Gemini - B, Na and As. However, the content of Cd, Zn, As, Cr and Ni in the fruit of all tested varieties was below the maximum permissible level. The Pb content in the apples of the varieties Enterprise, Pinova and Red Del. Mestar was low and did not exceed the maximum permissible level for heavy metals in food, thus these apple varieties can be included in the daily human diet without any restrictions. Keywords: apples, cultivars, nutrients, toxic elements, fruits