Characterization of two medicinal plants by X-ray spectrometry

The instrumental techniques of X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF and ED-XRF) are a powerful tool for determining inorganic elements in various matrices. Two species of medicinal plants of the Amaranthaceae family, Blutaparon portula coides (roots) and Gomphrena globosa (aerial parts and roots) were selected for analysis. A radioactive source of Pb-238( T-1/2 = 86.4 years and L-alp ha- U emission) with activity of 3.46 GBq (93.7 mCi in March 1998) was used in the excitation of samples. For detection of the characteristic X-rays e mitted by the sample elements, a Si(Li) detector with a resolution of 165 e V for the K-alpha-Mn line (E = 5.895 keV) was used. The elements S, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn were detected and quantified in the roots of Blutaparon portulac oides and S, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu and Zn in the roots and aeria l parts of Gontphrena globosa.