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Elemental characterization of medicinal plants of the Sundarban by INAA and AAS techniques: health risk assessments and statistical analysis

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Abstract

This study evaluates essential and toxic element contents in three widely used medicinal plants (Acanthus ilicifolius, Avicennia officinalis, and Xylocarpus mekongensis) of the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem and the possible health risks through the consumption of these plants. Total concentrations of 20 chemical elements (Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mn, Na, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th, V, and Zn) were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) techniques. The determined concentrations of the elements were compared with available WHO permissible limits which indicate that the average concentration of Zn in A. ilicifolius (41.2 ± 10.1 mg/kg) was higher than that of the permissible WHO limit (27 mg/kg). The average concentrations of Cr in A. ilicifolius (3.35 ± 0.37 mg/kg) and X. mekongensis (4.02 ± 2.30 mg/kg) were also higher than that of the WHO permissible limit (2 mg/kg). However, the average daily intake of the toxic elements was below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) values. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values were also within the permissible limit (THQ < 1). The elemental transfer factors and pollution index for the medicinal plants were determined and statistical analyses were used to clarify the elemental correlations in the studied plants. Therefore, this study will give valuable information to the public about the elemental contents and health risks due to consumption of the medicinal plants.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the authority of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) for providing support during field sampling and sample analyses. The other group members of NAA and CRR of BAEC are gratefully acknowledged for their help during sample preparation and neutron irradiation of the samples. Anonymous reviewers are gratefully acknowledged due to their constructive comments to improve the revised manuscript.

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  1. Department of Physics, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong, 4349, Bangladesh

    Shaiful Kabir & Mohammad Belal Hossen

  2. Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Ganakbari, Ashulia, Dhaka, 1349, Bangladesh

    Mohammad Amirul Islam

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  1. Shaiful Kabir
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Correspondence to Mohammad Amirul Islam.

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Kabir, S., Islam, M.A. & Hossen, M.B. Elemental characterization of medicinal plants of the Sundarban by INAA and AAS techniques: health risk assessments and statistical analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 3687–3696 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09047-4

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