TRACE ELEMENT AND PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KALABURAGI REGION, KARNATAKA INDIA

摘要

Tridax procumbens, Gyanandropsis pentaphylla, Vitex nigundo, Datura stramonium, Balanites roxburghi and Psidium guajava are plants of great medicinal value investigated for the presence of trace element and proximate analysis. The trace element analysis is carried out by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and proximate analysis is carried out using standard methods. The trace element analysis shows the presence of Fe 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mn 2+ , K + , Zn 2+ , Cr, Ti, Mg 2+ ,Cu 2+ and Al. Whereas Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (V) and the heavy metals like Cadmium and Silicon (Si) were not detected in all the plants. The proximate analysis shows Moisture content, Dry mater content, Total ash value, Acid insoluble ash value and Water soluble ash value respectively. Further the Psidium guajava shows the presence of more concentration of elements followed by Tridax procumbens, Gyanandropsis pentaphylla, Vitex nigundo, Datura stramonium and Balanites roxburghi respectively. Present study reveals that these plants are rich in essential elements which play key role in nutrition and health care needs of livestock and human beings. Therefore, these elements can also serve as active constituents of herbal medicines and useful in the treatment of various diseases in future.