Analysis of mineral and heavy metals in some medicinal plants collected from local market

To determine sodium (Na), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in some medicinal plants regularly used in cooking in Indian curries. All the nutrients were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The average concentrations detected were ranged from 150.22 to 521.98, 782.42 to 813.84, 15.75 to 532.72, 85.72 to 101.50, 0.478 to 9.890, 0.684 to 2.751, and 11.51 to 94.05, 6.94 to 49.76 mg/kg for Na, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu, respectively. The mineral and metal contents in the samples were found at different levels. Therefore, these medicinal plants are rich in some essential minerals, especially Fe and Mg which are essential for human health.