Determination of the level of chromium and nickel in selected dietary supplements stimulating the immune system of the human body

Abstract

An important group of dietary supplements are those preparations stimulating the defence mechanism of the human body. Often powdered plant raw materials or dry extracts from herbs are included in these dietary supplements, therefore these preparations, apart from being biologically active, can contain considerable quantities of the mineral matter. The purpose of our work was to assess the levels of chromium and nickel in selected dietary supplemental products produced in the form of capsules and pills (Acerola Plus, Cat's Claw, Maca, Maca 50 Plus, Spirulina, Spirulina Hawaian, Spirulina Pacifica, Vilcacora, Żeń-szeń from the “Herbalist's Plants of 'Herbapol' in Cracow”, Żeń-szeń – Ginseng from “KRKA”, Żeń-szeń supplied by Naturell, Żeń-szeń Korean from “Walmark”, Żeń-szeń supplied by “Vita-complex”) and in liquid preparations (Aloe - juice, Aloe vera drinking gel, Aloes Activ, Aloes Young, Bodymax Tonik, Ginsengin 400, Ginsenol, Noni - juice, Noni-vita, Noni Plus). Prepared Samples (3-5) of each of preparations were examined, in two parallel runs with analysis was carried out using a Pye Unicam SP 192 atomic absorption spectrometer, while applying specific determination parameters for given element. In supplements in the form of capsules and pills, the chromium content fluctuated, on average, from 0.33 μg/g (Acerola Plus), to 13.79 μg/g (Spirulina), and of nickel, from 0.16 μg/g (Acerola Plus), to 4.10 μg/g (Żeń-szeń (ginseng) - “Herbalist's Plants of 'Herbapol' in Cracow'). In the liquid dietary supplements that were tested, the values were as follows: the amounts of chromium were up to 0.12 μg/ml, while nickel was up to 0.27 μg/ml. In studied preparations, chromium and nickel levels diverged widely, depending on the form and composition of the dietary supplement. What is more, special predispositions of certain raw plant materials (marine alga - spirulina and of root of ginseng) were observed, for the accumulation of the determined micro-elements.