DETERMINATION OF MACRO- AND MICROELEMENT COMPOSITION IN THE SEEDS OF ARTICHOKE (CYNARA SCOLYMUS L.) AND MILK THISTLE (SILYBUM MARIANUM L.)

The seeds of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) possess a distinctive chemical composition and contain a variety of beneficial macro- and microelements. In this study, the mineral composition of artichoke and milk thistle seeds cultivated under local conditions was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results revealed a significant presence of essential elements involved in the metabolism of biologically active compounds, such as P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al and others. The obtained data justify the potential use of these plant seeds as raw materials for the development of biologically active supplements, as well as for applications in the pharmaceutical and dietary industries.