Determination of heavy metal levels in medicinal plant Hemerocallis minor Miller by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

Contamination of edible plants by toxic metals is a threat for human health. We applied for the first time applied the non-destructive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to determine concentrations of heavy metals, i.e., Fe, Ti, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Sr and Ba in plant Hemerocallis minor Miller and soils. Because this plant is used in folk medicine, the metal content assessment is important for specifying relevance of application to produce drugs. This paper considers the distribution of elements between different parts of plant (rhizome, stalk, leaves and flowers). The contents of metals were determined as varying in flowers and leaves depending on the time of sampling. The acquired concentrations of elements have been compared with toxic levels provided in literature.

Evaluation of heavy metals content in dietary supplements in Lebanon

“…Additionally, Anderson [30], an FDA researcher, used hand-held XRF analyzer for determining toxic elements in tableware. While Chuparina and Aisueva [31] determined heavy metals in medicinal plants using XRF, as well as Bueno and Romão [32] determined P, Ca, Ti and Fe in counterfeit medicines.…”

Validation and measurement uncertainty evaluation of the ICP-OES method for the multi-elemental determination of essential and nonessential elements from medicinal plants and their aqueous extracts

“…Numerous plant species used as remedies in traditional medicine are grown as spontaneous flora (Chuparina and Aisueva 2011). In Romania, among the most used medicinal plants in folk medicine are chamomile (Matricaria recutita), milfoil (Achillea millefolium), rattle (Hypericum perforatum), brotherwort (Thymus serpyllum), pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), linden (Tilia platyphyllos), and peppermint (Mentha piperita).…”

Comparison of Dry Ashing, Wet Ashing and Microwave Digestion for Determination of Trace Elements in Periostracum Serpentis and Periostracum Cicadae by Icp-Aes

“…With the development of medical science and the deepening of pharmacology study, the relationship between major or trace elements in natural medicines and pharmacological effect become a new research focus, the analysis of elements and elemental speciation has been more common reported [4][5][6][7] . At the same time, heavy metal pollution in natural medicines has been causing widespread concern [8][9][10][11][12] . Measuring and controlling the contents of heavy metals in natural medicines have practical significance to evaluate the potential human health risks and promote better use of natural medicines.…”