Abstract
Acacia Nilotica is a good source of several nutrient elements essential for some metabolic processes. The pods of Acacia Nilotica collected from different areas in Sudan have been analysed for 6 minor (Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, P) and 3 trace (Fe, Zn, Mn) elements by flame photometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry using the standard addition and calibration curve methods, respectively. The phosphorous, however, was determined U.V. spectrophotometrically using the standard addition method for measurement of the absorbance, at 410 nm of the complex produced by the coupling of meta-molybdate ammonium vanadate with phosphorous. The ash content, density, colour and pH were also determined by standard methods. The results obtained showed that acacia nilotica samples have been found to be especially rich in several nutrient elements such as, K, Fe and P. Concentration of elements are discussed vis-à-vis their medicinal/therapeutic uses. Several statistics like PCA and correlation matrix between elements and pH were performed to the dataset in order to distinguish between geogenic enrichment, lithiogenic, and anthropogenic pollution elements found in the pods. The results suggested anthropogenic and geogenic origin of Na, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, while Li, K, Mg showed lithogenic and/or geogenic origin and was associated and controlled by mixed origin.
Highlights
There are an increasing public interest and acceptance of natural therapies in developing and developed countries[1]
The world health organization (WHO) has declared that about 80% of the world’s population, especially in developing countries, uses herbal medicine as their source of primary healthcare [2].The use of medicinal plants always plays an important role in African life where it constitutes a major source of therapy and healthcare needs in Africa
It is widely distributed in Africa from Egypt and Mauritania to south Africa especially in Sudan "Table 1",some sub species are wide spread in Asia as far east as Burma [4] "Fig 1".It is considered as a very important economic plant since early times as a source of tannins, gums, timber, fuel, folder and medicines.Acacia nilotica pods are used in treatment of wound, malaria, sore throat and toothache[5,6,7,8],while Gum Arabic is applied for kidney diseases treatment[9]
Summary
There are an increasing public interest and acceptance of natural therapies in developing and developed countries[1]. It is a medium to large tree that can reach a height of 10 m, with an average of 4-7 m in height It is widely distributed in Africa from Egypt and Mauritania to south Africa especially in Sudan "Table 1",some sub species are wide spread in Asia as far east as Burma [4] "Fig 1".It is considered as a very important economic plant since early times as a source of tannins, gums, timber, fuel, folder and medicines.Acacia nilotica pods are used in treatment of wound, malaria, sore throat (aerial part) and toothache (bark)[5,6,7,8],while Gum Arabic is applied for kidney diseases treatment[9].
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