PJB-2018-278
Trace Metal Determination in Herbal Plants by Acid Digestion from Jeddah Market in Saudi Arabia
Basma G. Alhogbi
Abstract
The world is facing a serious issue for plants contaminated by trace metals. Therefore, it requires consideration due to its danger for both humans and animal. Herbs are extensively used worldwide for their seasoning and therapeutic properties. This study aimed to estimate the level of trace metals in selected customary herbs consumed in Saudi Arabia. The 5 samples of herbs were purchased from a local market in Jeddah City. Acid digestion was applied to the plant leaves and trace metals concentration 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 detected 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 suggests that most of the examined herbs contained hazardous levels of trace metals that exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits.
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