ISSN 2348-313X (Print) International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 1, pp: (1-4), Month: January - March 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Heavy metal screening in leaves of Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.)Asch. ex Schweinf. using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) Dr. Preetha P.S1, Aleeshiya Thankam A2 1
Assistant Professor, 2P.G.Student, 1,2
Department of Botany
Sree Narayana College Kollam, Kerala, India
Abstract: Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch. ex Schweinf. is an edible, perennial, herbaceous leafy vegetable that belongs to the Talinaceae family. It has a high range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Generally green leafy vegetables are good source of vitamins and minerals. Leaves are excellent in carotenes, low in carbohydrate and energy but they are good source of beta-carotene, calcium, riboflavin, folic acid, ascorbic acid, iron, vitamin K etc. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy of Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch.ex Schweinf. unveiled the presence of Phosphorus, Copper, Iron, Calcium, Lead, Manganese, Magnesium and Zinc. Essential minerals such as Magnesium, Calcium, Iron and Zinc are found in large amount which is essential for the prevention of deficiency diseases and normal health of human being. It is highly nutritional; and can be used to overcome malnutrition. Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch. ex Schweinf is cheaply available and is a good food supplement. Keywords: Talinum portulacifolium; Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; heavy metal analysis.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch.ex Schweinf is a perennial, herbaceous plant with grey, succulent stems that sprout from a thickened root that is sometimes creeping, which belongs to the Talinaceae family. The stems, which can sometimes become softly woody, usually grow up to 1 meter long, occasionally to 3 meters. The plant is gathered from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.The plant is used as vegetable or added to salads. Leaves, fruits and young stem are used for cooking. The leaves can also be stored dry for later use. The leaves are used in the treatment of eye disease. A decoction is used as remedy for constipation. The root is used in the treatment of coughs and gonorrhea. The plant is credited with aphrodisiac properties. Most leafy vegetables are very rich in phytonutrients and a host of antioxidants which assure a normal progression of the metabolic process of the body. Protein and carbohydrates are important nutrients for existence.[1] Protein is essential for nutritive assessment. All the fractions (cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, pectin, gums and mucilage) of dietary fiber play a significant job of many disorders such as diabetes, constipation, diverticulosis, cardiovascular diseases, and fatness [2]. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a technique for measuring quantities of chemical elements present in environmental samples by measuring the absorbed radiation by the chemical element of interest. Atomic absorption methods measure the amount of energy in the form of photons of light that are absorbed by the sample. The Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic study in Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch.ex Schweinf is to determine the metal composition. Several trace elements have toxic effects and some of them could decrease the stability of active
Page | 1 Research Publish Journals