Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the content of trace elements in Galium incanum SM. subsp. centrale Ehrend.Methods: The air-dried aerial parts of the plant material were used and its water extract (2 % w/v infusion) was analysed for trace elements using x-ray fluorescence (XRF ) spectrometry.Results: The aqueous extract depicted significant concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients with heavy metal and metal oxide content of 4.07 - 6.02 and 3.19 - 4.01 % for powdered plant material and water extract, respectively. The contents of Ca (22840 ppm) and K (8204 ppm) were the highest among all the elements while Zn (45.9 ppm) and Fe (328 ppm) were also detected in significant amounts. Zn, Mn and Cu showed the highest content while those of Mg, Al, K, Ca, Fe and P lowest in the water extract.Conclusion: The presence of significant levels of Ca, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn and Cu in G. incanum subsp. centrale showed that this plant has notable nutrient elements. The traditional use of Gallium species as a diuretic may be attributed to its rich content of potassium.Keywords: Rubiaceae, Galium incanum, Trace elements, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, X-ray fluorescence.
Highlights
Rubiaceae, comprising 640 genera and over 10000 species in about 10 tribes distributed in the world, in tropical regions, form the fourth largest angiosperm family after Asteraceae, Orchidaceae and Leguminosae [1]Galium with 400 species distributed in both temperate and tropical regions is one of the largest genera of Rubiaceae [2]
The concentrations of trace elements from sodium to uranium in the periodic table were determined in the water extract (WE) and powdered plant material (PM) of Galium incanum subsp. centrale by using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy
The results indicate that heavy metal and metal oxide content was 4.07 6.02 and 3.19 - 4.01 % for powdered plant material and water extract, respectively
Summary
Rubiaceae, comprising 640 genera and over 10000 species in about 10 tribes distributed in the world, in tropical regions, form the fourth largest angiosperm family after Asteraceae, Orchidaceae and Leguminosae [1]Galium with 400 species distributed in both temperate and tropical regions is one of the largest genera of Rubiaceae [2]. Galium is represented in Turkey by 101 species [3]. These species are used to coagulate milk because of an enzyme in their chemical composition [4]. Anthraquinones, triterpenic saponins, naphtalene derivatives, flavonoids, lignans and alkaloids have been reported from Galium species [6,7,8,9]. It is well known that many trace elements play a vital role in human health. Most of the studies on medicinal plants pertain to their secondary metabolites viz. Considering the importance of trace elements and for adequate safety evaluation, the present study was aimed to determine the presence and quantity of metallic elements in G. incanum SM. Centrale Ehrend., an endemic species known as “yoghurt herb” in Turkey Considering the importance of trace elements and for adequate safety evaluation, the present study was aimed to determine the presence and quantity of metallic elements in G. incanum SM. subsp. centrale Ehrend., an endemic species known as “yoghurt herb” in Turkey
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