Evaluation of Major and Trace Elements in Medicinal Plants

Author(s)

Silva, Paulo S. C. ; Francisconi, Lucilaine S. ; Goncalves, Rodolfo D. M. R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 27, n. 12, p. 2273-2289, DEC 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

This study presents the elemental concentration results obtained from 59 medicinal plants used in Brazil, determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS). The selected plant species were chosen from the Brazilian National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance (ANVISA) list of herbs recommended for utilization by the Public System of Health in Brazil (SUS). The results showed that high levels of foreign matter were found in almost 50% of the analyzed samples. The concentration of the elements varied in a wide range, although, generally in accordance with values found in literature. High concentrations of Ba, Cr, Fe, Hg, Se and Ni were found in some samples. The enrichment factor indicated that potentially hazardous elements can be accumulated mainly in the bark of the plants, possibly indicating an anthropogenic contribution. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/06827-9 - Determination of moisture, total ash, silica, and trace elements in phytotherapics
• Grantee: Rodolfo Daniel Moreno Reis Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 11/06768-2 - Determination of mineral elements in phytotherapics
• Grantee: Paulo Sergio Cardoso da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants