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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Determination of Lead Content in Medicinal Plants by Pre-concentration Flow Injection Analysis-Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

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Author(s):
Campos, Marina M. A. ; Tonuci, Henry ; Silva, Silvana M. ; Altoe, Bruna de S. ; de Carvalho, Dermeval ; Kronka, Eloisa A. M. [1] ; Pereira, Ana M. S. [2] ; Bertoni, Bianca W. [2] ; Franca, Suzelei de C. [2] ; Miranda, Carlos E. S. [3]
Total Authors: 10
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Ribeirao Preto UNAERP, Agroind Dev & Technol Ctr, BR-14096900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Ribeirao Preto UNAERP, Dept Biotechnol, BR-14096900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Ribeirao Preto UNAERP, Curso Ciencias Farmaceaut, Lab Biofarmacotoxicol, BR-14096900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Phytochemical Analysis; v. 20, n. 6, p. 445-449, NOV-DEC 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 11
Abstract

Introduction - Although medicinal plants are widely used throughout the world, few studies have been carried out concerning the levels of heavy metal contaminants present. Such metals are highly toxic to living organisms even in low concentrations owing to their cumulative effect. The present paper describes the the development of a pre-concentration flow injection analysis-flame atomic absorption spectrometric system to determine the lead content in medicinal plants at the ppb level. Objective - To develop a pre-concentration flow injection analysis-flame atomic absorption spectrometric system to determine the lead content in medicinal plants at the ppb level. Methodology - A pre-concentration flow system was coupled to a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The plant samples were analysed after nitroperchloric digestion. The proposed system was optimised by evaluating the following parameters: nature, concentration and volume of the eluent solution, elution flow rate, elution efficiency, pre-concentration flow rate and pre-concentration time. Results - The proposed system exhibited good performance with high precision and repeatability (RSD <= 2.36%), excellent linearity (r = 0.9999), low sample consumption (10.5 mL per determination) and an analytical throughput of 55 samples/h. Lead concentrations ranged from 3.37 +/- 0.25 to 7.03 +/- 0.51 mu g/g in dry material. This concentration interval is greater than that previously published in the literature. Conclusion - The inclusion of a pre-concentration column in the flow manifold improved the sensitivity of the spectrometer. Thus, it was possible to determine the analyte at the ng/mL level in sample solutions of medicinal plants. This is a very important accomplishment, especially when the cumulative effect of heavy metals in living organisms is considered. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd. (AU)