The control of the nitrate level in foods is important because this substance may be harmful to human and animal health. The aim of this work was to evaluate nitrate levels in lettuce produced in hydroponic and conventional systems and commercialized in Londrina, Brazil. The nitrate concentration ranged from 26 to 2,568 mg.kg-1 fresh weight. Hydroponic lettuce showed higher levels of nitrate but in all cases the level of nitrate was lower than the maximum allowed by the Comission of the European Communities.
Lactuca sativa L.; hydroponic
