Trace Element Analysis in Some Plants Species by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)

Abstract

In this study, the whole parts of eight edible and medicinal species (Alcea rosea, Carduus pycnocephalus subsp. albidus, Euphorbia gaillardotii, Euphorbia macroclada, Hypericum triquetrifolium, Kickxia lanigera, Malvella sherardiana and Mentha longifolia subsp. noeana were determined for their trace element (Al, As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Se) contents using ICP-OES. Before the whole plant parts were analyzed by ICP-OES, the porcelain crucibles were ashed and dissolved by adding concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The accuracy of the method was assessed by NCS ZC73014 Tea Leaves. The trace element contents obtained from each samples were compared. Calibration curves had good linearity in the concentration ranges 0.05–1.5 mg L-1 for whole elements worked. Since correlation coefficient (R) values were found above 0.9997, the linear range was considered acceptable. When the studied species are compared in terms of their metal contents; Cd (0.41±0.02 mg kg-1) and Cu (13.9±0.9 mg kg-1) metals in Carduus pycnocephalus subsp. albidus, B (22.4±1.6 mg kg-1) metal in Euphorbia macroclada, Se (0.26±0.01 mg kg-1) metal in Hypericum triquetrifolium Al (1424±109 mg kg-1), Cr (4.8±0.2 mg kg-1), Fe (980±67 mg kg-1) Mn (44.6±2.4 mg kg-1) Ni (7.5±0.3 mg kg-1) and Pb (1.15±0.1 mg kg-1) metals in Malvella sherardiana, As (0.62±0.02 mg kg-1) metals in Mentha longifolia subsp. noeana were determined higher. While the toxic element (As and Pb) content of the studied species is low compared to WHO, Cd and Cr contents in some species are found to be high to WHO.