HEAVY METALS DETECTION IN SOME TYPES OF HERBS USED IN MEDICAL TREATMENTS

Abstract

Given the backdrop of the Corona pandemic, the objective of this study was to identify some of the heavy metal presence in specific herbs collected from local markets in Iraq. Eight samples were selected, with four (Chamomile, Laurus nobilis, Artemisia, and Borage) used for COVID-19 prevention and the remaining four (Quince, Clove, Thyme, and Propolis) for treating COVID-19 patients. For the detection of metals in the selected specimens, EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) was employed. The results revealed the existence of  (Ca), (K), (S), (Si), (Al), (Mg), and (Zn) in Chamomile; (K), (Si), (Al), and (Zn) in Laurus nobilis; (Ca), (K), (S), (Si), (Al), (Mg), and (Zn) in Artemisia; (Ca), (K), (P), (Si), (Al), (Mg), and (Zn) in Borage; (Ca), (K), (S), (Si), (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in Quince; (Ca), (K), (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in Clove; (Ca), (K), (Si), (Al), and (Zn) in Thyme; and (Si) in Propolis. All the detected elements are considered essential metals, which are crucial for living biological systems and needed in relatively low concentrations. It is worth mentioning that the selected samples did not contain toxic heavy metals such as (Cd), (Pb), and (Hg), which are regarded as biochemically nonessential. Further analysis for heavy metal content, starting from acid digestion. This process aimed to liberate heavy metals from organic components in the herb samples. The results obtained through atomic absorption confirmed the absence of toxic heavy elements (Cd, Pb, and Hg). This is considered a positive thing as far as these toxic elements are concerned.