Abstract
Purpose: To determine the heavy metal and trace element composition of the powdered aerial parts of Origanum sipyleum L. and its water extract.Methods: The heavy metal and trace elements content of the powdered plant material and 2 % aqueous extract were evaluated by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with silicon drift detector SDD at a resolution of 145 eV and 10,000 pulses. The process conditions were 0.1 g sample weight, process time of 300 s at a voltage of 25 kV and 50 kV, and at a current of 0.5 and 1.0 mA under helium atmosphere.Results: The major elements, K, Ca and Na, known as macronutrients, constituted 11990, 10490 and 970 ppm of the powdered drug and 8910, 2991 and 810 ppm of the water extract, respectively. Among other constituents, arsenic, lead and uranium levels were < 1, 2.1 and < 3 ppm, respectively, in the powdered material while in the aqueous extract, the levels were < 1, < 2 and 200 ppm, respectively.Conclusion: O. sipyleum is a potential source of macro- and micronutrients from which useful food additives and health supplements can be derived.Keywords: Lamiaceae, Origanum sipyleum, Trace elements, Heavy metals, X-ray fluorescence
Highlights
Origanum species have been used as spices as well as for protection and treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine for thousands of years [1]
It was observed that O. sipyleum aerial parts and its water extract contain significant values of elements
Except for trace elements such as Zn, Cu, Br, Mo, Mn and Ag, heavy metal contents were higher in the water extract than in the powdered material
Summary
Origanum species have been used as spices as well as for protection and treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine for thousands of years [1]. Native to western Anatolia, where it is widely used as a spice and against gastrointestinal disorders and cough. This perennial plant, commonly known as “bayırçayırı”, have been used as a medicinal tea, food additive and for the production of essential oil [3,4]. Medicinal plants are taken in different forms such as teas, capsules, syrups and tablets containing ground or powdered form of pharmaceutical materials. Extracts prepared with different solvents are used as active ingredients
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