Diversity in Elemental Content in Selected Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) Species from Gilgit-Baltistan Region of Pakistan Based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-AES).

Abstract

Diversity in eleven Artemisia species from northern Pakistan was assessed based on as per suitability of their elemental contents with thermal conductivity detection and ICP-AES procedures. Results indicated the presence of 13 major elements in the Artemisia species with varied concentrations including Carbon (45.7%, 45,7000ppm-49.8%, 49,8000ppm), Nitrogen (2.03%, 20,300ppm-3.50%, 35,000ppm), Phosphorus (0.168%, 1680ppm-0.642%, 6420ppm), Potassium (2.38%, 23,800ppm-4.72%, 47,200ppm), Sulphur (1920ppm, 0.192%-4780ppm, 0.478%), Boron (23.8ppm, 0.00238%-71.7ppm, 0.00717%), Calcium (0.733%, 7330ppm-2.249%, 22,490ppm), Magnesium (0.116%, 1160ppm-0.267%, 2670ppm), Zinc (27.7ppm, 0.00277%-47.9ppm, 0.00479%), Manganese (25.7ppm, 0.00257%-93.8ppm, 0.00938%), Iron (353ppm, 0.0353%-1532ppm, 0.1532%), Copper (14.1ppm, 0.00141%-26.2ppm, 0.00262%) and Sodium (105ppm, 0.0105%-587ppm, 0.0587%). Cluster analysis distributed the Artemisia species into two major groups (G1 and G2) on the basis of their elemental content where G1 contained species like, Artemisia herba alba Asso., A. tournefortiana Rachb., A. rutifolia Steph. ex Spreng., and A. vulgaris L., with the presence of all elements with the maximum amount of S, Zn, P, Ca, and Mg, while G2 contained species like Artemisia biennis Willd., A. chamaemelifolia Vill., A. capillaris, L., A. gmelinii Weber ex Stech., A. indica Willd., A. maritima L., and A. verlotiorum Lamotte., with all elements but significant concentrations of B, N, C, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Na. PCA analysis displayed maximum species diversity in the axes two, while axes one showed lower diversity. Additionally, the elevated levels of elements recorded as compared to the threshold levels recommended in the literature for medicinal plants require extraordinary precautionary measures before or during using Artemisia as medication to avoid metal toxicity.