DETERMINATION OF THE SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN CARPOLOBIA LUTEA, G. DON (POLYGALACEAE) LEAVES AND FRUITS

Abstract

Contamination of herbal medicines with heavy metals has been reported widely. In trace amounts some heavy metals are essential to the human body however they maybe toxic if present in a higher concentration. Herbal medicines are widely used in Africa and all over the world, Carpolobia lutea G. Don (polygalaceae) is a plant well distributed in West and also Central Africa; it is extensively used as traditional medicine for treatment of various ailments by local physicians in most communities in Nigeria. Therefore, there is need to investigate the levels of heavy metals. The objective of this study was to determine whether the concentration of selected heavy metals present in Carpolobia lutea leaves and fruits are within the acceptable range for human consumption. The evaluated metals were cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (wet digestion) was used for the analyses, and content of metals per samples was expressed in ppm. The results revealed that Carpolobia lutea accumulate these elements at different concentrations. Most of the high concentrations of the metals were found in the leaves of the plant, these include iron (449.54±0.02 ppm), copper (20.96±0.00 ppm) and cadmium (1.37±0.00 ppm).  Chromium (5.64±0.00 ppm) and zinc (6.21±0.00) were found in higher concentration in the fruits than the leaves. Monitoring concentration of heavy metals in medicinal plants is of great importance for health planners, health care professionals, and policymakers in protecting the public from the adverse effects of these heavy metals.Contamination of herbal medicines with heavy metals has been reported widely. In trace amounts some heavy metals are essential to the human body however they maybe toxic if present in a higher concentration. Herbal medicines are widely used in Africa and all over the world, Carpolobia lutea G. Don (polygalaceae) is a plant well distributed in West and also Central Africa; it is extensively used as traditional medicine for treatment of various ailments by local physicians in most communities in Nigeria. Therefore, there is need to investigate the levels of heavy metals. The objective of this study was to determine whether the concentration of selected heavy metals present in Carpolobia lutea leaves and fruits are within the acceptable range for human consumption. The evaluated metals were cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (wet digestion) was used for the analyses, and content of metals per samples was expressed in ppm. The results revealed that Carpolobia lutea accumulate these elements at different concentrations. Most of the high concentrations of the metals were found in the leaves of the plant, these include iron (449.54±0.02 ppm), copper (20.96±0.00 ppm) and cadmium (1.37±0.00 ppm).  Chromium (5.64±0.00 ppm) and zinc (6.21±0.00) were found in higher concentration in the fruits than the leaves. Monitoring concentration of heavy metals in medicinal plants is of great importance for health planners, health care professionals, and policymakers in protecting the public from the adverse effects of these heavy metals. Contamination of herbal medicines with heavy metals has been reported widely. In trace amounts some heavy metals are essential to the human body however they maybe toxic if present in a higher concentration. Herbal medicines are widely used in Africa and all over the world, Carpolobia lutea G. Don (polygalaceae) is a plant well distributed in West and also Central Africa; it is extensively used as traditional medicine for treatment of various ailments by local physicians in most communities in Nigeria. Therefore, there is need to investigate the levels of heavy metals. The objective of this study was to determine whether the concentration of selected heavy metals present in Carpolobia lutea leaves and fruits are within the acceptable range for human consumption. The evaluated metals were cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (wet digestion) was used for the analyses, and content of metals per samples was expressed in ppm. The results revealed that Carpolobia lutea accumulate these elements at different concentrations. Most of the high concentrations of the metals were found in the leaves of the plant, these include iron (449.54±0.02 ppm), copper (20.96±0.00 ppm) and cadmium (1.37±0.00 ppm).  Chromium (5.64±0.00 ppm) and zinc (6.21±0.00) were found in higher concentration in the fruits than the leaves. Monitoring concentration of heavy metals in medicinal plants is of great importance for health planners, health care professionals, and policymakers in protecting the public from the adverse effects of these heavy metals.Keywords:  Carpolobia lutea, heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, medicinal plant.