Novel neutron activation analysis scheme for determination of trace elements in medicinal plants infusion
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Novel neutron activation analysis scheme for determination of trace elements in medicinal plants infusion Mohamed A. Soliman1 · Fatma S. Abdou1,2 · Nader M. Mohamed1 Received: 31 January 2020 © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2020
Abstract This work is concerned with the development of a simple and accurate procedure for trace elements determination in infusion of medicinal plants using neutron activation analysis. The developed scheme involves irradiation of herb (tea in the present work) before immersion into boiled water and then analyzing the induced radioactivity in the infusion using HPGe detector to determine the concentration levels of the extracted elements. Results were corrected for geometry and γ-ray attenuation effects using Monte Carlo simulation. The effects of irradiation dose and infusion period on the extraction process were also evaluated. The developed method proved its efficiency and capability for evaluation of the daily intake of elements reach our body through consumption of medicinal plants. Keywords Medicinal plants · Trace elements · Neutron activation analysis · Tea infusion
Introduction It is well recognized that trace elements have a vital role in metabolic processes and are essential for the general well being of humans, and their deficiency or excess may cause disease and/or be deleterious to health [1, 2]. All the nutrient elements are primarily supplied through foods, water and medicines. Therefore, determination of trace elements composition of foods and related products is essential in order to evaluate their nutritional value and to guard against any probable harmful effects. Medicinal plants have been used for many years to cure a great variety of diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of traditional herbal medicine has spread not only in the developing countries but also in the industrialized ones, as a complementary way to treat and to prevent illnesses [3]. As an example, tea is one of the most widely used medicinal plants. It is grown in more than 45 countries within the latitude in a range of 45° N and 34° S [4]. More than two thirds of the world’s population consume tea due to its * Mohamed A. Soliman [email protected] 1
Egypt Second Research Reactor, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
Reactor Physics Department, Nuclear Research Centre, Atomic Energy Authority, Reactors Division, Cairo, Egypt
2
medicinal, refreshing and mild stimulant effects [5]. Drinking tea reduces serum cholesterol, prevents oxidation of low density lipoprotein and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease [6]. Due to the presence of biologically active polyphenols groups in its constituent, tea has anti-oxidative, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic effects [7]. Beside the presence of active organic constituents which are the main responsible for the physiological functions in living organisms, trace elements are considered as an essential part of medicinal plants composition. It has been reported that trace elements have a significant role in
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