Research Information System
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, vol.140, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This investigation on leaf lettuce and Swiss chard aimed to evaluate the effect of two different distances from the heavy traffic intensity road in two different roadside MS (Mevlanakapi-Silivrikapi) and SB (Silivrikapi-Belgradkapi) growing locations on some nutraceutical and hazardous properties. The total content of phenolic compounds was higher in leaf lettuce at far distances of both MS and SB locations, while it was higher in Swiss chard at close distances of MS and SB locations. The Hg contents of both vegetable samples exceeded the FAO/WHO acceptable limits, highlighting potential health risks for human consumption. In contrast, the Cd, Pb, and Fe contents in both vegetable samples were in acceptable limits and were safe for human intake. Regarding the principal component analysis (PCA) results, each vegetable was categorized into four separate classes based on the effects of two different distances and two growing locations. Accordingly, the distances to the traffic intensity at the two growing locations significantly affected the phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, and heavy metal contents of the two vegetables. To mitigate health risks, it is recommended the replacement of urban gardens outside the city center to avoid the heavy metal contamination of vegetables by traffic vehicles.