Abstract
The world is facing a serious issue with plants contaminated by trace metals. Therefore, a consideration is required due to its danger that impacts both humans and animals. Herbs are extensively used worldwide for their seasoning and therapeutic properties. This study aimed to estimate the level of trace metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni) in selected customary herbs consumed in Saudi Arabia. The 5 samples of herbs were purchased from a local market in Jeddah City (Mint (Mentha), Basil (Ocimum), Arugula (Eruca sativa), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)). Acid digestion was applied to the plant leaves and trace metals concentrations were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Metals were observed to be available in varied concentrations in the herb plant samples. The highest metal values, especially in Arugula (ES) 218.3±1.9 mg/kg and 24.4±0.09 mg/kg for Zn and Ni respectively, Cr was under detection limit, Coriander (CS) 148.5±1.8 mg/kg and 17.3±0.07 mg/kg for Fe and Pb respectively, Mint (ME) 28.6±0.26 mg/kg for Cu, while Basil (OC) was recorded below the (WHO) permissible limits 18.9± 0.06 mg/kg and 1.1± 0.003 mg/kg for Zn and Cr respectively, besides all metals were higher than the (WHO) allowed limit in Parsley (PC). The study found that most of the examined herbs contained hazardous levels of trace metals that exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits.
Highlights
Heavy metals found in trace amounts in plants, which has a biological effect can be toxic to plants and human being through the food chain
This study aims to determine the level of trace metals in some commonly consumed herbs; they were purchased from local market in Jeddah City to assess their relative safety and potential health risk based on the World Health Organization standard limits (WHO, 2011; Onder et al, 2007)
The average concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni. and Cr in Parsley (PC), Arugula (ES), Coriander (CS), Mint (ME) and Basil (OC) herbal plants collected from different local market in Jeddah City are shown in (Figure 1) compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended values
Summary
Heavy metals found in trace amounts in plants, which has a biological effect can be toxic to plants and human being through the food chain. There are 14 mineral elements are required for the plants in their full physiological activity. Every nutrient element is essential within an ideal range. If this range exceeded the possible results may vary from changes in many physiological processes occurring at the cellular/ molecular level such as disabling enzymes, blocking functional groups of metabolic important molecules, substituting essential elements or disrupting the integrity of the membrane (Rascio and Navari-Izzo, 2011). Herbal medicines are extensively used for the treatment of numerous illnesses. They are frequently containing highly effective pharmacological components, including minerals and trace metals (Fabricant and Farnsworth, 2001)
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