TRACE ELEMENTS IN CRUDE DROGUE AND INFUSIONS OF Margyricarpus pinnatus

MARTÍNEZ, GLORIA C.; FURLONG, OCTAVIO JAVIER; MAZZA, SILVIA; PETENATTI, ELISA M.; MARCHEVSKY, EDUARDO JORGE; PELLERANO, ROBERTO G.

Potrero de los Funes

Congreso; XXX Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2012

In this work samples of Margyricarpus pinnatus (Lam.) Kuntze (Fam: Rosaceae) as well as infusions prepared from them were investigated for their trace element composition. This herb is widely used in South America by its diuretic and carminative effects. Element concentrations in the medicinal herb and their infusions were determined by ICP-AES. The following trace elements were studied: Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn. Leaves and stems of the herb samples were digested in a microwave oven in order to determine the total contents. Infusions were prepared using distilled water at 85 ºC for 15 min. The decreasing sequence of the mean metal levels in the raw material of studied herb was as follows: Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The means of total content in raw material were: Fe (265µg g-1), Zn (45 µg g-1), Cu (6,3 µg g-1), Pb (1,2 µg g-1), Cd (0,03 µg g-1). The toxic elements Cd and Pb were found only in the whole overground herb at low concentrations, but not in the final infusions (below the limit of quantification). The extraction yield for the elements present in the infusions was calculated: Fe (18.5%), Zn (28.3%) and Cu (47.4%). Finally, the estimated daily intake was compared with current recommendations (WHO 2007). All products and its infusions were included within the upper tolerable limits for minerals, in trace elements such as toxic elements present at low levels.