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