Elemental Analysis of Medicinal Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Abstract

Selected plants used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Garcinia cambogia, Emblica officinalis, Angelica sinensis, Schisandra sinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Ocimum sanctum), European herbs (Echinacea purpurea, Cichorium intybus, and Vitis vinifera), and supplements derived from these products were analyzed for their macroelements (K, Na, Ca, and Mg) and microelements (Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, Mo, and Fe) concentrations by wavelength-dispersion x-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM–EDX), ion chromatography (IC), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). In addition, relevant aspects of heavy metal toxicity are discussed.

Keywords::

• Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry
• Ion chromatography
• Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry
• Wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence