RESUMO
The contents of multiple inorganic elements in silybum marianum products in different processing stages, including dry fruit, seedcake and extracts, were simultaneously measured by inductively coupled plasma atom emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicated that the contents of the elements are the highest in the seedcake and the lowest in the extracts. Moreover, the different decoctions of Silybum marianum fruit made for different immersion times were determined. It was demonstrated that most of the elements measured are soluble, and the total content extracted for the first four immersion times is much higher than that for the latter three times. The certificate reference tea (GBW070605) was analyzed by this method, and the analysis results of most elements in the reference tea were in agreement with the certified values.