Comparison and Determination of Element Concentrations in Sambucus nigra L. Dietary Supplements by ICP-OES after Microwave and Wet Digestion Methods
Keywords:
Sambucus Nigra L., Microwave Digestion, Wet Digestion, ICP-OESAbstract
The use of medicinal plants has increased worldwide; however, self-medication poses a
significant public health concern due to potential interactions. Medicinal plants are rich sources of nutrients,
minerals, trace elements, vitamins, and phytochemicals that contribute to human health and their
consumption as part of a balanced diet has been associated with a reduced risk of disease. Nevertheless,
dietary exposure to metals through commercially available herbal products should be carefully assessed.
This study aimed to determine the concentrations of Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, Fe, Cu, B, Mn, Zn, and Al in
Sambucus nigra L. dietary supplements, including tablets, effervescent tablets, syrups and capsules.
Elemental analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP
OES) following microwave and wet digestion procedures. Digestion efficiencies were evaluated and
compared using HNO₃ and HCl. Higher elemental concentrations were obtained using the microwave
digestion method compared to wet digestion. Method validation parameters, including limits of detection
(LOD), limits of quantification (LOQ), linearity, recovery, and precision, were assessed. Recovery values
ranged from 87.44% to 100.73%. P and K for wet digestion and Na and K for microwave digestion were
calculated to be the highest LOD and LOQ values.
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