TURK 2025

Abstract
Plants of the Arum genus, belonging to the Araceae family, are used in food and traditional medicine despite their toxicity. One representative of this genus is Arum korolkowii Regel, which is widely known in folk medicine among ethnic groups in Central Asia. With the exception of a few reports, the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of this plant have not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the micro- and macronutrient composition of Arum korolkowii tubers growing in the southern region of Kyrgyzstan. Dried tuber samples of Arum korolkowii were subjected to acid hydrolysis using a microwave system. The nutrient content was determined using the ICP-MS method. Among the 46 analyzed elements, the highest concentration was found for K (10562 ppm), while the lowest values were detected for Te (0.002 ppm) and Bi (0.004 ppm). However, B (19.10 ppm), As (<3.20 ppm), and Se (0.126 ppm) were found to remain within safe limits. Relatively high concentrations of Na (226 ppm), Mg (2028 ppm), P (4288 ppm), K (10562 ppm), Ca (7750 ppm), Mn (18.3 ppm), Fe (312 ppm), Cu (4.80 ppm), and Zn (33.20 ppm), known for their nutritional benefits, were observed. Meanwhile, trace elements such as Co (0.212 ppm), Ni (2.37 ppm), Cd (0.117 ppm), Sn (0.040 ppm), Ba (18.70 ppm), and Pb (0.343 ppm), which have toxic potential and can negatively affect human health, were detected at levels below regulatory limits. In conclusion, the tubers of Arum korolkowii Regel, which are used in ethnomedicine by locals, contain a variety of beneficial micronutrients, while heavy metals are present within permissible limits.