Abstract
Trace elements are essential in preserving good health and body immunity to diseases. The study was undertaken to determine the levels of chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) in herbal spices, food grains and edible seeds commonly used in Kenya. The levels of elements were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The herbal spices, food grains and seeds considered in this study included coriander (Coriandrum sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinalis), garlic (Allium sativum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), lemon grass (cymbogon citratus) rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), wheat (Triticum cestivum L.), brown rice (Oryza sativa), finger millet (Elusine coracana), bulrush millet ((Pennisetem glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sunflower seeds (Helianthus anuus), watermelon seeds (Citrullus lanatus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds. The results indicated that lemon grass had the highest V levels (14.40±1.20 mg/kg) followed by ginger at (14.38±0.31 mg/kg) while coriander seeds had the highest Cr levels (13.00±0.42 mg/kg), followed by lemon grass (12.80±1.47 mg/kg). Bulrush millet had the highest Se levels (198.38±3.75 µg/k) followed by sorghum (151.20±12.8 µg/kg). Pumpkin seeds had the highest level of Zn (53.54±1.44 mg/kg) followed by watermelon seeds at 41.00±5.79 mg/kg. The food grains, seeds and herbal spices could provide the body with the required daily intake. Consumption of mixed diet could therefore provide the body with essential trace elements that could boost the body immunity especially to those people with compromised health. Key words: Trace elements, nutrition, herbal spices, food grains, fruit seeds, AAS.
Highlights
Good nutrition is essential for achieving and preserving health while helping the body to protect itself from infections (WHO and FAO, 2002)
Trace elements such as selenium, zinc, chromium and vanadium play a major role in improving the body immunity against diseases
The results indicate that the samples considered in this study have the trace elements V, Se, Cr and Zn though the amounts varied from sample to sample
Summary
Good nutrition is essential for achieving and preserving health while helping the body to protect itself from infections (WHO and FAO, 2002). Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health for the body against opportunistic infections by ensuring that the lining of the skin, lungs and gut remain healthy and that the immune system functions properly (WHO and FAO, 2002). Trace elements such as selenium, zinc, chromium and vanadium play a major role in improving the body immunity against diseases Zinc is essential for human body growth and development of normal brain function It is a component of many enzymes and involved in numerous metabolic processes (Rink and Gabriel, 2000). It plays an important role in the protection of cell membrane integrity and may be protective against free radical injury (Prasad, 1983)
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