Availability of essential trace elements in ayurvedic Indian medicinal herbs using instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy, Dr. Pravin Singare, Prof. Ram Lokhande, Dr. Mahadeo Andhale and Dr. Raghunath Acharya
Dr. Pravin Singare
Department of Chemistry
Bhavan' s College, Andheri, Mumbai 400058
India
Email: pravinsingare@vsnl.net
Prof. Ram Lokhande, Dr. Mahadeo Andhale
Department of Chemistry
University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Mumbai 400 098
India
Email: rama.lokhande@yahoo.com/mahadeoa@gmail.com
Dr. Raghunath Acharya
Raghunath Acharya Radiochemistry Division
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085
India
Email: raghunath@rediffmail.com
DOI: 10.1108/20425945201000012
Abstract: Elemental analysis of these medicinal plants was performed by employing Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. The samples were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor and the induced radioactivity was counted by gamma-ray spectrometry using an efficiency calibrated high-resolution High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. Most of the medicinal plants were found to be rich in one or more of the elements under study. The variation in elemental concentration in same medicinal plant samples collected from different regions was studied and the biological effects of these elements on human beings are discussed. The study was also extended further to estimate the level of toxic elements like Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb and Hg in medicinal plants which arises due to environmental pollution. The results were discussed with careful reference to established role ofessential and rare elements to the physiology and pathology of plant and human life.
Keywords: Instrumental neutron activation analysis; INAA; Atomic absorption spectroscopy; AAS; Medicinal plants; Trace elemental analysis; Inter-elemental correlations.
Citation: Singare, P., Lokhande, R., Andhale, M. and Acharya, R. (2010), "Availability of essential trace elements in ayurvedic Indian medicinal herbs using instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy", World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/20425945201000012
