Levels of Heavy Metals in the Stem Bark of Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae)

Abstract

Abstract

Due to the toxicological risks posed by higher levels of heavy metals to human health, the World Health Organization and other regulatory bodies have emphasized that medicinal plants and other herbal preparations should not be used without qualitative and quantitative analysis of heavy metals content; therefore, the present study was aimed to determine the levels of some heavy metals in the stem bark of Securidaca longipedunculata using Micro Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (MPAES, 4100). The result showed the levels of metals detected as follows; arsenic: 0.1100 mg/kg, chromium: 0.0200 ± 0.00 mg/kg, nickel: 0.0300 ± 0.10 mg/kg, manganese: 0.0582 ± 0.11 mg/kg and copper: 0.7000 mg/kg, while toxic metals like lead, cadmium, mercury and cobalt were not detected. The findings in this study showed that the levels of arsenic, chromium, nickel, manganese and copper detected did not exceed the permissible limits approved by the World Health Organization and other regulatory bodies, thus, the stem bark of S. longipedunculata is safe for human consumption.

Keywords: Heavy metals, herbal preparations, human health, medicinal plants, permissible limits

Cite this Article

Abubakar U.S, Danmalam U.H, Ibrahim H., Maiha B.B. Levels of Heavy Metals in the Stem Bark of Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae). Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacognosy. 2020; 7(2): 28–33p.