Sadržaj toksičnih i esencijalnih metala u ljekovitom bilju koje raste u onečišćenim i neonečišćenim područjima u Makedoniji

The aim of this study was to determine and compare Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sr, Pb, and Zn content in medicinal herbs Urtica dioica L., Taraxacum officinale, and Matricaria recutita growing in polluted and unpolluted areas of the Republic of Macedonia. The metal content was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). In the unpolluted area of Mt. Plačkovica the metal content in Taraxacum officinale was in the descending order: Fe>Sr>Zn>Ba>Cr, while Pb and Cd were below the limit of detection. In the polluted area of Veles, the order was as follows: Fe>Zn>Sr>Pb>Ba>Cd>Cr. Our results suggest that quality assurance and monitoring of toxic metals is needed for plants intended for human use and consumption. Medicinal plants should be picked in areas free of any contamination sources.Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio utvrditi i usporediti sadržaj Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sr, Pb i Zn u ljekovitom bilju Urtica dioica L., Taraxacum offi cinale i Matricaria recutita koje raste u onečišćenome odnosno neonečišćenome području u Republici Makedoniji. Sadržaj metala utvrdili smo s pomoću atomske emisijske spektroskopije induktivno spregnutom plazmom (engl. inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, krat. ICP-AES). U neonečišćenome području planine Plačkovice, sadržaj metala u Taraxacum offi cinale kretao se kako slijedi: Fe>Sr>Zn>Ba>Cr, dok su Pb i Cd bili ispod granice detekcije. U onečišćenome području blizu talionice olova i cinka u Velesu redoslijed je bio ovakav: Fe>Zn>Sr>Pb>Ba>Cd>Cr. Naši rezultati upućuju na potrebu za osiguranjem kakvoće i praćenjem razina toksičnih metala u biljaka namijenjenih ljudskoj uporabi. Ljekovito bilje valja brati u područjima bez izvora onečišćenja

Determination of selected trace elements in herbs and their infusions

The following macro- and microelements were determined in the leaf of peppermint (Mentha piperitae folium) and nettle (Urticae folium) (as tea bags) and in their infusions: As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, 1, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn. The determinations were performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). From all the determined microelements, the highest content found was that of iron, 244 and 107 mg/kg in the leaf of peppermint and nettle, respectively. However, the lowest content found was that of cobalt, 0.10 and 0,08 mg/kg for the leaf of mint and nettle, respectively. The most readily water eluting elements were strontium, selenium and iodine, the most difficult ones - barium and iron. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Phase statistics and spectral analysis of ultrasonic signals for CFRP component assessment

The established and industrially applied ultrasonic inspection and monitoring techniques typically use the amplitude values of the ultrasonic signals for assessment of flaws. However every individual signal value has the phase information, in addition to the amplitude information. Through analysis of the statistical distribution of phase values provided by state-of-the-art measurement systems and an appropriate consideration of this information in the signal evaluation, a significant improvement in flaw detection capability of an ultrasonic test can be achieved. Moreover, the phase and the frequency of ultrasonic signals carries information that can be correlated to the inner structure and existing inhomogenities of the material to be assessed. The two novel approaches for increasing the information content of the classic ultrasonic test - phase statistics and spectral analysis - are new and promising. Use of these approaches, even for on-line measurements has become possible particularly through modern computer science and signal processing. It is particularly significant that these methods are based exclusively on the analysis and processing of "conventionally" acquired ultrasonic signals, so that in-depth rework of the measurement technology or ultrasonic hardware can be added with additional useful information on the material's condition to be obtained

Anatolia, Turkey

Trace metal levels in eleven different spice and herbal plant species from western Anatolia, Turkey were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The contents of trace metals in the herbal plant samples were found in the ranges: 3.8-35.4 mu g g(-1) for copper, 0.2-2.7 mu g g(-1) for cadmium, 0.1-2.8 mu g g(-1) for lead, 1.4-11.3 mu g g(-1) for nickel, 0.1-9.7 mu g g(-1) for chromium, 30.0-945.3 mu g g(-1) for iron, 7.9-152.5 mu g g(-1) for manganese and 5.2-83.7 mu g g(-1) for zinc. Results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature