Elemental Composition and Potential Nutraceutical Value of Taxus baccata L. Arils: A Preliminary Safety Assessment ^†

Introduction: Taxus baccata L. is a gymnosperm known for its pharmacologically active but toxic components, especially taxine alkaloids and taxanes like paclitaxel. Among its parts, only the fleshy red aril is non-toxic, recently drawing attention for its carotenoids (e.g., rhodoxanthin), polyphenols, fibers, and unsaturated fatty acids. These suggest a promising nutraceutical profile, though data on elemental composition and safety remain limited. Its potential to absorb toxic metals from the environment raises concerns, making elemental assessment essential [1,2,3]. Such analysis helps estimate nutritional value and environmental exposure, supporting evaluation for medicinal and nutraceutical use. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the elemental composition of the arils to assess their potential nutraceutical value and preliminary safety profile. Specific objectives were (1) to determine macro- and micro-element levels using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy; (2) to assess the nutritional relevance of essential elements; (3) to detect the presence/absence of toxic elements for a preliminary toxicological safety screening; and (4) to compare the results with the existing literature. Materials and Methods: Arils were manually collected in October 2024 from ornamental trees in Timișoara. The arils were separated manually from the seeds and dried at 35 °C and 60% humidity for 24 h, homogenized, and analyzed using handheld XRF (HHXRF X-MET8000, Hitachi, Japan), operated under ambient conditions, without any chemical preparation. Results: The elemental analysis of the arils revealed a complex mineral profile, with notable nutritional implications and low toxicological concern. Potassium (K) was found to be the dominant element (35,383 ppm), consistent with previous reports (34,000–36,200 ppm), confirming the aril’s relevance as a dietary potassium source. Calcium (Ca) was present at 2173 ppm, slightly higher than the range reported in the literature (1800–2000 ppm), supporting its potential role in mineral supplementation. Among trace elements, Zinc (Zn) was detected at 54 ppm, within the nutritionally beneficial range (50–60 ppm). Copper (Cu) and Rubidium (Rb) were measured at 17 and 20 ppm, respectively, aligning with reported values (16–19 ppm and 18–22 ppm). Scandium (Sc) (51 ppm), Barium (Ba) (175 ppm), Tantalum (Ta) (21 ppm), Molybdenum (Mo) (13 ppm), and Vanadium (V) (9 ppm) were also identified in low but quantifiable amounts, not previously emphasized in aril studies, potentially reflecting environmental or soil-specific influences. Elements associated with environmental or toxicological concern, such as Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Antimony (Sb), Uranium (U), Thallium (Tl), Iron (Fe), and Gold (Au), were not detected (ND) in the samples, which is a favorable safety indicator. Compared to values reported by Tabaszewska et al. (2021) [2], the current dataset presents similar trends with minor variations in concentrations, likely attributable to geographic origin, cultivation conditions, and environmental exposure. Conclusions: The present study highlights the nutritional potential and low toxicological risk of T. baccata arils. The arils proved to be rich in essential elements such as Potassium, Calcium, and Zinc, while toxic elements were undetectable. However, given the known toxicity of all other Taxus parts and the limited toxicological data on the aril, caution remains necessary.