Nitrate and nitrite in vegetables from areas affected by war-time operations in Croatia

To evaluate nitrate and nitrite contents in cabbage and potatoes, the most consumed vegetables in Croatia, and to examine if war-time operations in Croatia affected nitrate and nitrite levels in vegetables, potatoes and cabbage cultivated in the war region (East Slavonia) and out of war regions were analyzed. Data showed that nitrate contents were higher in the samples from the war region (32% and 24% in potatoes and cabbage, respectively) but differences were not statistically significant. The nitrate levels found in potato samples (196 mg NaNO3/kg fresh weight (FW) and cabbage samples (911 mg NaNO3/kg FW) were comparable with levels reported for other countries. The nitrite contents in potatoes (321 micrograms NaNO2/kg FW) and cabbage (173 micrograms NaNO2/kg FW) were lower than the contents reported for most other countries. Further examinations of nitrate and nitrite concentrations in vegetables in Croatia as well as examinations of the influence of war-time operations on accumulation of these toxic contaminants are necessary.