engleski

Elemental characterisation of the medical herbs Salvia officinalis L and Teucrium montanum L grown in Croatia

Medicinal herbs have been used in traditional medicine for years to relieve and treat many human diseases, while nowadays their use is increasing around the world due to their mild features and low side effects. Based on the scientific arguments, supplementation of diet with various herbs is recommended among individual consumers, both for its healing properties and nutritive value. The interest in chemical composition of medicinal herb products is growing because of ongoing developments in nutrition and in biochemical surveying and mineral prospecting. In the presented study samples of Salvia officinalis L and Teucrium montanum L as well as infusions prepared with them were studied for their mineral composition ranging from trace to major elements. The herbs were collected from Velebit Mountain (N 44, 37° - E 15, 42° ; A 900 m) in Croatia. The total mineral content of the plant samples were determined by ICP-OES after microwave assisted digestion. Infusions were prepared using distilled water of different temperature and applying various decoction times. The extraction yields for all elements present in the infusions were calculated. The following elements were studied: Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn. The best water temperature was found to be 90°C regarding the extractability of major and minor elements. Main part of metals extracted were found in the infusions after a decoction time of five minutes. In the plants all elements except B and Ba were found. In the infusions only Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn were detected, their extraction yields ranging from 5 up to 35% depending on decoction period. The essential elements Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn are present in the infusions at concentration levels of µg/L, whereas Ca, K, Mg, and Na in mg/L. The toxic elements Cd and Pb were found only in the whole plant at very low concentrations, but not in the final infusions. High amounts of K, Mg, and Na in the resulting infusions justify the use of this herb as nutritional supplement in addition to the organic compounds.

Salvia officinalis L; Teucrium montanum L; minerals; ICP-OES

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