Chemical composition of stinging nettle leaves obtained by different analytical approaches

- Chemical profile of stinging nettle leaves.
- Monoterpenes profile establishing by GC-MS and GC-FID analysis of hydrodistillate.
- Determination of fatty acids in leaves applying GC-FID analysis.
- Determination of elements and minerals contents of leaves using ICP-OES analysis.
- Determination of mercury content in leaves by mercury analyzer.

Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) is annual plant which possesses wide range of biological effects and being used in folk medicine since the ancient times. Despite the numerous studies concerning the biological activities of this plant, there are only several studies regarding the chemical composition of stinging nettle (SN) leaves. Deeper chemical investigation revealed the presence of different class of compounds (polyphenols, phenolic acids, fatty acids, carotenoids, elements and minerals) in SN leaves. Results showed the chlorophylls and carotenoids contents of 304.63 mg 100 g−1 and 69.07 mg 100 g−1, respectively. The most abundant fatty acids were C18:3 (67.98 µg g−1), C16:0 (60.97 µg g−1) and C18:2 (55.99 µg g−1), among terpenes linalool was dominant compound (5.1 mg g−1), while dominant trace element was iron with the content of 150.97 µg g−1. Such chemical profile is significant and indicate the wide range of possible further usage of this plant.