Multielemental analysis of pharmaceuticals derived from plant seeds by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

ABSTRACT

The concentrations of elements in pharmaceuticals derived from plant seeds were determined by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The concentrations of Ca, Si, Cl, K, S, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, P, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Hg, and Zr were quantified; only Si (10 ± 1 to 70,000 ± 110 mg kg⁻¹), S (10 ± 2 to 12,4000 ± 243 mg kg⁻¹), K (4,000 ± 58 to 24,000 ± 70 mg kg⁻¹), Ca (2200 ± 35 to 87,000 ± 150 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (21 ± 4 to 1956 ± 17 mg kg⁻¹), and Fe (100 ± 7 to 5150 ± 70 mg kg⁻¹) were present in all samples. These results may validate the use of these pharmaceuticals for the treatment of disease due to high concentrations of essential elements Mn, Ca, Mn, K, Mg, Zn, Cl, Fe, and P. Mercury was present in some products below standard values. The results also have quality control applications because of the widespread use of these pharmaceuticals.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• disease
• EDXRF
• elemental analysis
• energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence
• pharmaceuticals
• seeds