Comparative analysis of elemental compositions of selected edible wild plants

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the elemental compositions of selected edible wild plant species, Hemerocallis fulva, Allium victorialis, Syneilesis palmata and Ligularia fischeri. The samples were dried, crushed, and subjected to microwave-assisted digestion. The macro and micro elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometery (ICP-OES), and ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The macro elements in the analyzed species decreased in the order K˃Ca˃P˃Mg˃S˃Fe˃Zn˃Na, and the micro elements followed the order Mn˃Ba˃Rb˃Cu˃Ni˃Ga˃Li˃Cr˃V˃Co˃Be˃Se. The percentage ratio of calcium content for potassium in the samples was 42.9% (A. victorialis) > 42.4% (S. palmata) > 33.8% (L. fischeri) > 25.3% (H. fulva). The calcium content was 13.7, 10.9, 6.4, and 2.9 times higher than the phosphorus content in S. palmata, L. fischeri, A. victorialis, and H. fulva, respectively (p<0.05). Manganese was the most predominant among the trace minerals, and it followed the order of A. victorialis > H. fulva > L. fischeri > S. palmata. In general, these wild plants are richer in calcium as compared to other common vegetables, and hence can be considered a good source for calcium that is lacking in Korean food products.