Determination of Some Essential and Non-Essential Metals in Fenugreek Seed (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum L.) Cultivated in Different Parts of Ethiopia

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Date

2011-06

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Addis Ababa Universty

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is native to Ethiopia. It is a plant mostly used as a spice and herbal medicine in most countries of the world. Fenugreek has many dietary and health benefits. It is used as anti-diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, against breast cancer, hypoglycemia, antioxidation, laxation, apetite stimulation, antiulcer, and immunomodulatory, spice in food, etc. In this study, the levels of major (Ca, K, Na, Mg), trace (Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co), and toxic (Pb, Cd) metals in seed of fenugreek grown in different regions of Ethiopia were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Wet ashing was used to digest 0.5 g fenugreek seed flour and was optimized using 1.5 mL of HNO3 and HClO4 acid mixtures (5:1 ratio), 30 min pre-digestion time, 45 min total digestion time and 150 0C temperature. Thirteen elements were analyzes and their concentrations are listed in the following ranges and order; Ca (15353–36771 mg/kg) > Fe (6041–18584 mg/kg) > K (6789–11517 mg/kg), > Pb (615–2624 mg/kg) > Na (201–1559 mg/kg), > Cd (285–464 mg/kg) > Cr (3–552 mg/kg) > Ni (31–108 mg/kg) > Mg (31–102 mg/kg) > Zn (15–33 mg/kg) > Mn(16–28 mg/kg) > Cu (N.D–35 mg/kg) > Co (4–15 mg/kg). A statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence level was used to test whether the variation between metal content of fourteen sample means were significant or not. In addition Pearson correlation coefficient was used to predict the dependence of metal levels of one with another. Key words: Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), Major elements, Trace elements, Toxic elements, Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

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Keywords

Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), Major elements; Trace elements; Toxic elements; Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

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