Phosphorus and Its Water-Extractable Inorganic Form in Medicinal Herb Infusions

Abstract

The concentration of total phosphorus (P), its water-extractable inorganic form (P-PO₄), and Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Fe, was established in 57 samples of Polish medicinal herbs originating from 6 plant species—Mentha piperita, Urtica dioica, Salvia officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Tussilago farfara, and Betula sp. Total P, P-PO₄, and Mg were determined at average levels of mg/g, whereas the other elements were at mg/kg of dry plant weight. A higher level of P and P-PO₄ was detected in Menthae piperitae folium and Salviae folium—plants of the same Labiatae family. With the other elements, an extremely high level of total Mn and Zn was found in Betulae folium. Analysis of relations between P, P-PO₄, and the essential elements in the study showed that an especially strong inter-relation occurred in the pairs: P and P-PO₄, P-PO₄ and Mg, Mn and Zn, both between their total concentrations and extractable forms. This would indicate synergistic activity on the part of these elements in the physiology of plants.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Medicinal plants
• statistical analysis
• total phosphorus
• water-extractable inorganic phosphorus