TRACE-ELEMENTS IN MALAYSIAN MEDICINAL-PLANTS

Elemental content of twenty medicinal plants used as tonic and for treatment of diabetes and sinusitis were determined by INAA and XRF. Elemental determination was carried out in the raw samples, residues after boiling and the water soluble fractions. Samples were irradiated in TRIGA MkII reactor and counted using HPGe detector coupled to Personal Computer Analyzer (PCA) system. Bowen's Kale, NBS Pine Needles, NBS Citrus Leaves SRM were analysed to check the accuracy of the techniques used. Twenty elements were determined by both NAA and XRF. Arsenic was only detected in Labisia pothoina and Dracontomelon dao with a concentrations of 0.40 mg/kg and 0.60 mg/kg respectively. Antimony was found in eleven samples with a concentration of < 0.20 mg/kg. Al, Bg Ca, Cl, K, Mn, Na and Ph were detected in all samples whereas Mg and Zn were present in all samples except Cinnamomum sp. Highest concentration of Br (190 mg/kg), Cl (11805 mg/kg), Co (0.50 mg/kg), Fe (1642 mg/kg), K (36788 mg/kg), Mn (325 mg/kg), Na (126 mg/kg), Rb (197 mg/kg), Sc (0.18 mg/kg) and Zn (3551 mg/kg) were observed in the tuber of Lasia aculeata. Less than 70% and 50% of the elements contained in Callicarpa longifolia and Eurycoma longifolia were obtained respectively from water by boiling.