Heavy metal constituent of medicinal plants: a case study of Moringa oleifera Lam. from selected areas in Accra, Ghana

Background: Anthropogenic activities release metals into the environment that could be absorbed by plants and assimilate herbal medicines. Objective: This study sought to correlate outcome of anthropogenic with levels in medicinal using leaves Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera)as a case study. Methods: Leaves M. soil around sampled were collected from three locations Accra Metropolis: commercial area, an area dense vehicular traffic, quasi-natural habitat. Samples analyzed Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectroscopy for presence arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V) zinc (Zn). Statistical analyses performed correlation between metal concentrations was assessed Spearman’s coefficient. Results: Levels samples varied site sample collection. significantly lower than permissible limits (p< 0.05) Translocation factor (TF) estimates indicated exclude under investigation irrespective However, TF > 1 Zn habitat signifying bioaccumulation leaves. Except forCo, total concentration each not correlated its Conclusion: The sampling potentially environment.