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Elemental Analysis of Different Cultivar of Senna (Cassia angustifolia) using Microwave Digestion and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

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Abstract

Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) is known worldwide for its laxative properties. Essential element content in senna leaf and pod is important as they preferred as an ingredient of herbal tea, functional food and dietary supplements. So, elemental (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) content in the leaf and pod samples of four different cultivar of senna were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after digestion in the closed vessel environment through a microwave digestion system. Powdered leaf and pod samples were digested with high-purity concentrated nitric acid (HNO3). The overall reproducibility of the method obtained from spiking experiment was within the range and recovery data indicated accurate and precise. The elemental content in the leaf and pod sample followed the order Ca > K > Mg > Na > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu. While elemental content in pod samples were found lower as compared to leaf samples except potassium. Calcium content was found higher than other elements and level of Copper was the least among all elements in the leaf and pod samples. Significant differences were observed for elemental content among the cultivars. The cultivar KKM-1 recorded higher elemental content compared to other cultivars. This basic information generated from the study can be used for the varietal development of senna with improved nutritional quality apart from its medicinal properties.

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Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Director, ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Boriavi, Anand, India for providing facilities to undertake the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (DMAPR), Boriavi, Anand, Gujarat, 387310, India

    B. B. Basak & R. Nagaraja Reddy

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  1. B. B. Basak
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  2. R. Nagaraja Reddy
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Correspondence to B. B. Basak.

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The work was 100% funded by ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Boriavi, Anand, India. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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Basak, B.B., Nagaraja Reddy, R. Elemental Analysis of Different Cultivar of Senna (Cassia angustifolia) using Microwave Digestion and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 40, 245–248 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-017-0561-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-017-0561-6

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