Abstract

PROFILING OF SELECTED TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE YOUNG AND MATURE BETLE LEAVES BY ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

Jhansi U.*, Subramanyam G.@ and Himakar Reddy K.*

ABSTRACT

In the present study, elemental analysis of Piper betle was carried out for the determination of micronutrients such as zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, iron and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that checking for presence of heavy metals and levels of essential trace elements in medicinal plant raw materials are very required as 80% of people globally rely on these medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes. Accumulation of these elements leads to toxicity. Beyond permissible level is also matter of great concern to public safety all over the world. In the present study young and mature betle leaves were selected for comparative study of elemental analysis. Determination of trace elements by means of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) has shown that all selected (Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, iron) elements were within the permissible levels. Lead and cadmium was not found in both the varieties.

Keywords: Piper betle, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Essential micro nutrients, heavy metals.