An Analytical Approach for Determining Macro- and Micro- Elements in Two Different Growing Periods of Artemisia abrotanum L

Abstract

The widespread use of medicinal plants has led to the cultivation of Artemisia abrotanum L., which grows wild in Turkey. The amount of trace elements contained in plants is important for health therefore,analyses of microwave and infusion extracts of the plant were performed using ICP-MS. The evaluation of the elemental content of the harvest time of Artemisia abrotanum L. using a validated method constitutes the aim of the study. Na, K, Mg, Fe, P, S, Ca, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Ba, Tl, Li, U were determined. It was observed that the element distribution varied depending on the element in the pre-flowering and flowering periods of the plant. In both extraction methods, Na, Mn, Ni, Co, As, Se, Sr, and Ba concentrations were higher in the blooming period and K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mo, Cd, and Pb concentrations were higher in the pre-blooming period of Artemisia abratonum L. The amounts of P, Fe, Al, V, Cr, and Tl concentrations differed according to the extraction method. Cu and S concentrations were determined to be similar in both extraction methods and at both harvest times. The results were classified by chemometric analysis and the preparation method and elemental relationships were evaluated. When evaluating the amounts of essential, beneficial, and harmful elements present in Artemisia abrotanum L., consumed as an infusion by the public, independent of harvest time, we found that the detected levels of these elements exceeded the required or harmful thresholds for human health.