Health risk assessment of As, Cd and Pb in infusions prepared from Capsella bursa-pastoris L. Medik.

Owing to their taste and scent, herbal infusions rank among the most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverages globally [1]. The infusion prepared from Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. benefits human health [2]. However, it can also hold toxic elements, which raises concerns about its safety and potential adverse effects on well-being. This study aimed to determine the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in C. bursa-pastoris aqueous infusion, along with their potential health risk assessment. Plant samples collected from four cities in Serbia (Belgrade, Sremska Mitrovica, Vršac, and Bor) were used for infusion preparation. As, Cd and Pb determination was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The overall trend noticed in recorded concentrations was As>Pb>Cd. Kruskal-Wallis's non-parametric test revealed statistically significant variations (p<0.05) in the contents of these elements in the analyzed samples. Infusion prepared from samples from Bor contained the highest concentration of As. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also indicated the presence of distinct clusters belonging to samples from different locations. Although the highest values for estimated daily intake (EDI), non-carcinogenic-target hazard quotient (THQ), and lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) were found for As, all examined parameters were lower than the acceptable limit for children and adults. THQ for As, Cd, and Pb was below 1, and LCR was less than 10-4, indicating negligible risks. Infusions prepared from C. bursa-pastoris were safe for children and adults, regarding carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. Nevertheless, calculated levels suggested that children are more vulnerable to health risks. The present study emphasized that drinking herbal extracts could be a significant and direct pathway for PTEs' introduction into human nutrition. The human health risks related to the consumption of herbal infusions should be of concern.