Heavy Metal Content in Biomasses of Some Herbal Plants

This investigation was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals—lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and chromium (Cr)—in four commonly used medicinal plants Withania somnifera, Andrographis paniculata, Tinospora cordifolia, and Asparagus racemosus in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand: These plants are widely consumed in Indian society as herbal infusions and traditional remedies. The samples were collected from local markets in Patna,(Bihar) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) For analysis, 10 g of each plant sample was boiled in di-distilled water, filtered, and treated with nitric acid. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The measured ranges were: Pb (0.15–0.80 mg/kg), Cd (0.28–0.63 mg/kg), Cu (0.30–1.90 mg/kg), Zn (3.90– 11.50 mg/kg), Fe (2.20–7.00 mg/kg), and Cr(below detection limit to 1.80 mg/kg). Based on these values, the estimated daily intake of lead and cadmium for a 50 kg individual consuming an infusion prepared from 10 g of plant material was calculated.