Thermal neutron activation analysis of some toxic and trace chemical element contents in Mentha pulegium L.

Our laboratory of neutron activation analysis is highly involved in nutrition applications in the framework of research activities using the Algerian research reactor. The medicinal and aromatic plants of Mentha pulegium L. have been largely used in traditional medicine for several centuries to contribute significantly to human health related to digestive ailments, it is also used to reduce nervousness and anxiety. The present study focuses on the analysis of leaves of M. pulegium L., for evaluation of essential and toxic elements using a sensitive nuclear analytical technique based on instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Twenty-one elements were assessed (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cr, Cs, Co, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Yb and Zn) and the accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing the Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) GBW 07605 (tea leaves) and NIST-SRM 1573a (tomato leaves). The daily intake of essential and toxic elements was determined and compared with the recommended values and was found to be well below the tolerance limits.