XRF Analysis of <i>Pongamia pinnata</i> Stem of Semi Arid Region of Kachchh

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The objective of the present investigation was to study the chemical composition of stem of Pongamia pinnata is a species of tree native to India growing in semi-arid region of Kachchh district, Gujarat, India. The stem of Pongamia pinnata were subjected to Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and were analyzed for different mineral composition. As the X-ray Fluorescence is one of the most reliable and accurate, as well as it is also a consistent and non-destructive method for analysis of major and trace elements using a single pressed pellet. During the study it was found that Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Silicon, Sulfur, Aluminum, Phosphorus were noted in higher amounts, compared to that of other elements like Manganese, Iron, Nickel, Copper, Zink, Bromide, Rubidium, Strontium, Stannous, whereas the elements which were not detected in stem of Pongamia pinnata are Titanium, Cobalt, Hafnium and Tantalum.