Assessment of heavy metals concentration in some selected medicinal plants collected from BCSIR, Chittagong cultivation area in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

This survey was carried out with the aim to assess the level of heavy metals i.e. Lead [Pb], Cadmium [Cd], Chromium [Cr], Cobalt [Co], Nickel [Ni], Copper [Cu], Zinc [Zn] and Manganese [Mn] in different medicinal plants grown at BCSIR, Chittagong cultivation area in Bangladesh during 2010-2011. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to estimate and evaluate the levels of these metals. The results of this survey showed that the average concentrations detected were ranged from 0.01 to 3.25, 0.01 to 2.01, 0.88 to 5.30, 3.09 to 27.58, 0.41 to 3.50, 0.0 to 8.5, 4.5 to 24.5 and 3.14 to 16.22 mg/kg for Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn and Cu respectively. The highest levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn and Cu were detected in Ashoka [Ashok], Malabar nut [Basok], Wild basil [Kalo Tulsi], Indian buttercup [Sarpoganda], Asparagus [Satomuli], and Wild basil [Kalo tulsi] respectively. The results of the investigation will be guideline for the users, collectors and practitioners of medicinal plants obtained from the polluted areas for human consumption