Evaluation of trace elements in some northern-Nigeria traditional medicinal plants using INAA technique

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used for multi-trace elemental determination of six medicinal plants: Boerhavia diffusa, Euphoria hirta, Senna occidentalis, Senna obtusofolia, Cyprus dilatatus and Mitracarpus villosu. These plants were irradiated in the Nigeria Research reactor-1, at flux levels of 2.25E+11 ncm−2s−1 in the outer channel and 5.0E+11 ncm−2s−1 in the inner channel. A total of the twenty one elemental concentrations were evaluated highlighted the similarity between the elements obtained for the six plants. It was found that Euphoria hirta and Senna occidentalis have similar concentrations of elements. Boerhavia difusa, Mitracarpus villosus, Cyprus dilatalus and Senna obttusifolia were also similar in elemental content to each other, while Boerhavia difusa was the only exceptional outlier. The accuracy of measurements was evaluated by analyzing IAEA-359 cabbage references standard materials and the results show good agreement with certified or literature values within ±0.01% to ±0.87%.

► Application of neutron activation analysis.
► Multi-trace elemental determination of six medicinal plants in northern Nigeria.
► Accuracy of the measurements was based on analyzing IAEA-359 cabbage, a standard reference material.
► Results showed good agreement with certified values within ±0.01 % to ±0.87%.