Elemental composition determination in medicinal plants by neutron activation analysis
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2017
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60 YEARS OF IEA-R1: INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON UTILIZATION OF RESEARCH REACTORS
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Resumo
The use of medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of diseases is mainly
due to its low costs, ease acquisition and cultural aspects. In addition, the absence
of its side effects when compared with synthetic drugs and the belief that plants that
are natural origin do not cause harmful effects to the organism have stimulated their
uses. However, medicinal plants may contain excess essential elements as well as
the toxic ones that even in low concentrations are dangerous to human health. The
objective of this study was to analyze medicinal plants: Aloe vera (Babosa), Morus
nigra sp. (Amoreira) and Moringa oleifera (Moringa) for further correlation studies
of the chemical elements with their therapeutic activities. The analytical method
used was neutron activation analysis (NAA). The leaves of Aloe vera and Morus
nigra were collected in different localities and that of Moringa oleifera were acquired
in a store of natural products. Sample preparation consisted of cleaning, drying and
milling the leaves. Aliquots of the samples and synthetic element standards were
irradiated for 16h under thermal neutron flux of 5 1012 n cm2 s1 of the nuclear
reactor IEA-R1. The induced gamma activities were measured using a gamma ray
spectrometer coupled to a HPGe detector. The radioisotopes formed were identified
by half-lives and gamma ray energies. Element concentrations were calculated by
comparative method. Quality of the results was evaluated by analyzing certified reference
materials INCT-TL-1 Tea Leaves and INCT-MPH-2 Mixed Polish Herbs and
the results showed good precision and accuracy. Elements Ca and K were obtained
at high concentrations in the plants at the percentage levels. Calcium exhibits neutralizing
action and avoids stomach lesions and K has a diuretic action. Elements
Br, Fe, Na, Rb and Zn were found in the order of g g1, and As, Co, Cr, Cs, La,
Sb and Sc at lower concentrations, in the order of ng g1. The Aloe Vera plant presented high concentration of Zn and this element is present in healing remedies.
Molibdenum was detected in Moringa oleifera sample and this element is considered
essential in many enzymatic processes of the organism. Toxic elements such as Cu
and Cd were not detected and As and Sb were found but at very low concentrations.
Results obtained in this work indicate the possibility of applying NAA in the
correlation studies between the elements present in the plants and their therapeutic
effects.
Como referenciar
TAKAMOTO, A.; SAIKI, M. Elemental composition determination in medicinal plants by neutron activation analysis. In: 60 YEARS OF IEA-R1: INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON UTILIZATION OF RESEARCH REACTORS, November 28 - December 01, 2017, São Paulo, SP. Abstract... São Paulo, SP: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, 2017. p. 17-18. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/28709. Acesso em: 30 Dec 2025.
Esta referência é gerada automaticamente de acordo com as normas do estilo IPEN/SP (ABNT NBR 6023) e recomenda-se uma verificação final e ajustes caso necessário.