Determination of heavy metal levels in medicinal plant Hemerocallis minor Miller by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XFS) (CAT#: STEM-ST-0232-WXH)

Introduction

Many plant species are applied as feedstock for producing remedies both in traditional and folk medicine. Researchers commonly focus only on the properties of some organic compounds defined in plants providing a therapeutic effect. However, the total element composition of medicinal plant remains unknown; and foremost the information about concentrations of so-called heavy metals, e.g., Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn is not available. Every plant species specifically accumulates chemical elements; many of elements can be detected in plants in considerable quantities. As to heavy metals, they are irreplaceable in organism commonly at low amounts. But if their concentrations are high enough, these elements become toxicants and cause illnesses.