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CF-LIBS based elemental analysis of Saussurea simpsoniana medicinal plant: a study on roots, seeds, and leaves

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Abstract

The plant Saussurea Simpsoniana, which has been used in traditional medicine for its biocompatibility and abundant nutrients, offers a wide range of remedies. Local communities effectively utilize medicines derived from the plant’s roots to treat various ailments such as bronchitis, rheumatic pain, and abdominal and nervous disorders. In this study, we present an elemental analysis of the chemical composition (wt%) of this medicinal plant using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. In the air atmosphere, an Nd:YAG (Q-switched) laser operating at a wavelength of 532 nm is utilized to create plasma on the sample’s surface. This laser has a maximum pulse energy of approximately 400 mJ and a pulse duration of 5 ns. A set of six miniature spectrometers, covering the wavelength range of 220–970 nm, was utilized to capture and record the optical emissions emitted by the plasma. The qualitative analysis of LIBS revealed the presence of 13 major and minor elements, including Al, Ba, C, Ca, Fe, H, K, Li, Mg, Na, Si, Sr, and Ti. Quantitative analysis was performed using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS), ensuring local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE) and optically thin plasma condition by considering plasma excitation temperature and electron number density. In addition, a comparison was made between the results obtained from CF-LIBS and those acquired through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the National Center for Physics (NCP) for the financial assistance to acquire the LIBS setup.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Centre for Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Campus, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Amir Fayyaz, Z. A. Umar, Haroon Asghar, Rizwan Ahmed & M. A. Baig

  2. Atomic and Molecular Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Amir Fayyaz, Raheel Ali & M. A. Baig

  3. Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Amir Fayyaz

  4. Department of Physics, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, 15100, Pakistan

    Najab Ali

  5. Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA

    Muhammad Waqas

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  1. Amir Fayyaz
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Fayyaz, A., Ali, N., Umar, Z.A. et al. CF-LIBS based elemental analysis of Saussurea simpsoniana medicinal plant: a study on roots, seeds, and leaves. ANAL. SCI. 40, 413–427 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44211-023-00480-9

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