Abstract
Consumption of plant extracts can be a source of essential elements or a route of human exposure to toxicants. Metal concentrations in leaves, leaf brew, and infusion of L. javanica collected from five sites were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid and aqueous extraction. Estimated daily intakes of metals in extracts were compared with recommended dietary allowances. Total metal concentrations in leaves varied with sampling sites (p < 0.05): Mn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Pb for sites SS2–SS5. The highest metal concentrations in leaves were recorded for SS3 (Cu: 15.32 ± 4.53 and Mn: 734.99 ± 105.49), SS5 (Fe: 210.27 ± 17.17), SS2 (Pb: 3.11 ± 0.21), and SS4 (Cr: 4.40 ± 0.75 mg/kg). Leaf infusion appeared to release higher Cu and Mn concentrations in leaves across sites (Cu: 21.65; Mn: 28.01%) than leaf brew (Cu: 11.95; Mn: 19.74%). Lead was not detected in leaf extracts. Estimated dietary intakes of Cr, Cu, Fe, and Mn were below recommended dietary allowances. A 250 ml cup of leaf infusion contributed 0.30–1.18% Cu and 4.46–13.83% Mn to the recommended dietary allowances of these elements per day. Lead did not pose any potential hazard when consumed in tea beverage made from brew and infusion of leaves of L. javanica.
Highlights
Natural and anthropogenic activities have increased metal concentrations in the environment to unprecedented toxic levels [1,2,3]
The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb in leaves, leaf brew, and infusion extracts of the tea alternate, L. javanica collected from seven sites, were determined
The study showed that the dietary contribution of Cu, Cr, Fe, and Mn from the consumption of tea beverage was higher in the leaf infusion than the brew of L. javanica
Summary
Natural and anthropogenic activities have increased metal concentrations in the environment to unprecedented toxic levels [1,2,3]. Since plants are capable of taking up metals from soil, the safety, quality, and effectiveness of natural products have become questionable [4]. The consumption of plant tissues may be an important route, for essential dietary trace elements and for human exposure to toxic elements. The likelihood of developing symptoms of disease due to metal toxicity has been attributed to risk factors such as characteristics of the metal (concentration, form, dose, and toxicity) and individual level factors (social, health, behaviour, and physiology) [8, 10, 11]
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