Heavy Metal Contamination of Ready-to-use Herbal Remedies in South Eastern Nigeria

Nwoko, Chris O.; Mgbeahuruike, Leo

doi:10.3923/pjn.2011.959.964

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The lowest Zn level of 23 μg/g was found in H4-Dhanab Al Khayl (Equisetaceae), vegetative stems. The high level of Zn is most probably related to waste water discharge and irrigation with waste water and/or atmospheric fall out (Nwoko & Mgbeahuruike, 2011;Rao & Galib, 2011) that render leaves and flowers to be high in zinc. Compared to other works, our reported Zn levels were higher than those of Li et al (2012) of 32.64 μg/g for Radix Salvia Miltitorrhiza root part (Lamiaceae).…”

Section: Software Used In Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lead, arsenic and cadmium are of no nutrient value and are toxic trace elements with adverse health effects (Nwoko & Mgbeahuruike, 2011;Tseng, Chong, & Tseng 2003). The maximum permissible levels in raw medicinal herbs for Pb, As, Cd are respectively 10 μg/g, 5 μg/g, and 0.3 μg/g (WHO, 2007).…”

Section: Software Used In Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…contribute to heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils including waste and industrial water discharge, irrigation with contaminated water, fertilizers and pesticides (Nwoko & Mgbeahuruike, 2011). Additional sources of elements in plants are rainfall, atmospheric dust that can be absorbed through leaves (Rao & Galib, 2011;Pytlakowska, Kita, Janoska, & Kozik, 2012).…”

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Metal Concentration in Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Infusion by Lebanese Population: Health Impact

Korfali¹,

Mroueh²,

Al-Zein³

et al. 2013

JFR

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The levels of K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in commonly used medicinal herbs and their infusions by Lebanese were analyzed by EDXRF and ASS techniques, respectively. The order of metal contents in the herbs was found to be: K (6990-19850 μg/g) > Ca(1630-14450 μg/g) > Fe(80-3650 μg/g) > Mn (28-458 μg/g) > Zn (23-108 μg/g) > Cu (5-71 μg/g) > Cr (3.1-55 μg/g) Pb> (1.1-10.3 μg/g) > As (nd-10.8 μg/g) > Cd (nd-1.7 μg/g). The mean levels of toxic metals in herbs Pb, As and Cd were below WHO permissible levels. Cluster analysis indicated metals are most probably in plants due to wastes disposal and irrigation with contaminated wastes and/or from atmospheric waste particulates. The levels of Mn, Cr, Pb and As in herbal infusions were found to be higher in soaked than boiled preparations and correlated with Fe, while Zn and Cu levels were higher in boiled infusions. The highest weekly intake from herbal infusions of toxic metals Cr (492.8 μg), As (77.0 μg), Pb (291.2 μg) and Cd (19.0 μg) were below the recommended permissible tolerable weekly intake respectively 1260 μg, 900 μg, 1500 μg, and 150 μg. Therefore, the consumption of these traditional medicinal herbs does not pose any health risk provided full compliance with recommended daily doses.

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Section: Software Used In Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Software Used In Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metal Concentration in Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Infusion by Lebanese Population: Health Impact

Korfali¹,

Mroueh²,

Al-Zein³

et al. 2013

JFR

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“…Some reports of heavy metal contaminations in countries from different parts of the world demonstrated the presence of toxic metals in plant derived products [5][6][7]. Moreover, the need for safety assessment and quality assurance of plant products has been highlighted by the WHO.…”

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confidence: 99%

The analysis of heavy metals content in herbal infusions

Suchacz

Wesołowski

2012

Open Medicine

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AbstractThe content of 8 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) was evaluated in infusions prepared from 13 different herbal compositions commercially available in drug or herbal stores. The mixtures were produced by a Polish manufacturer “Herbapol”. The concentration of heavy metals was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the herbal infusions Mn was found in the highest concentration varying from 3.03 to 129.01 mg/kg. The element of the lowest content was Cd in the range of 0.024–0.153 mg/kg. According to interquartile ranges the concentrations of studied heavy metals in infusions decreased in the following descending order: Mn>Fe>Zn>Cu>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. Cluster analysis allowed for the division of herbal infusions into groups described by comparable levels of heavy metals. In water extracts made from Urosan, Nervosan, Infektoten and Cholagoga, distinctive levels of Mn, Fe and Cr were determined. According to WHO regulations, the concentrations of the elements did not exceed the allowable limits.

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“…Smaller particles from atmospheric fallout may be incorporated into the leaves, whereas large agglomerates are trapped on the surface wax. 21,22 The extent of uptake and the pathways involved may depend on the plant species and on the metal involved. 23 The opening and closing of stomata may provide entrance for trace metals, blocking the stomata in some cases and may ultimately lead to the death of the plant.…”

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Urban farming as a possible source of trace metals in human diets

Olowoyo¹,

Lion²

2016

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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HOW TO CITE:Olowoyo JO, Lion GN. Urban farming as a possible source of trace metals in human diets. S Afr J Sci. 2016;112(1/2), Art. #2014-0444, 6 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10. 17159/ sajs.2016/20140444 Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have greatly increased the concentrations of trace metals as pollutants in the urban environment. These pollutants (trace metals) are more likely to have an adverse effect on peri-urban agriculture which is now becoming a permanent feature of the landscape of many urban cities in the world. This review reports on the concentrations of trace metals in crops, including leafy vegetables harvested from different urban areas, thus highlighting the presence of trace metals in leafy vegetables. Various pathways of uptake of trace metals by leafy vegetables, such as the foliar and roots, and possible health risks associated with urban faming are discussed and various morphological and physiological impacts of trace metals in leafy vegetables are described. Defensive mechanisms and positive aspects of trace metals in plants are also highlighted. IntroductionUrban farming can be defined as the act of cultivating food crops, mostly vegetables, wherever land is available around or in the immediate vicinity of a major city.1,2 Farming activities around urban areas have become a prominent feature of some urban city landscapes, especially in developing countries. 3 There are several reasons for farming activities around peri-urban areas and these include easy access to markets and transportation of goods. In some countries, poor urban households use urban farming to increase their household income by selling the yield or surplus to reduce part of daily expenses. 4 The other probable reason for the increase in urban farming is the shortage of land. This involves farming areas previously used for either household or industrial waste, 5 supported by the notion that the soil will be very fertile. Urban farming also supports the campaign for organic farming. Consumers, in most cases, evaluate quality of leafy vegetables on their dark green colour and on size of the leaves as opposed to where farming activities have taken place. 6 However, in urban city centres where farming activities are carried out around industrial areas, safety around the consumption of these vegetables cannot be guaranteed because various disposal practices often cause the accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements in the soil. 7,8 Anthropogenic activities such as mining, emissions from vehicles, wrong agricultural practices and improper waste disposal are major sources of trace metal pollution in the urban environment. 5,9 It was recently discovered that a large percentage of toxic trace metals find their way into the human diet through consumption of vegetables and agricultural products. 5-14In acceptable limits, trace metals play an important role in the health and physiological activities of plants, animals and humans.15 They are required in minute quantities as natural components of the environment. For exa...

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Heavy Metal Contamination of Ready-to-use Herbal Remedies in South Eastern Nigeria

Cited by 29 publications

References 8 publications

Metal Concentration in Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Infusion by Lebanese Population: Health Impact

Metal Concentration in Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Infusion by Lebanese Population: Health Impact

The analysis of heavy metals content in herbal infusions

Urban farming as a possible source of trace metals in human diets

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