Determination of mineral content and heavy metal content of some traditionally important aquatic plants of tripura, India using atomic absorption spectroscopy

Mineral and heavy metal concentration of six aquatic plants possessing health promoting effects and used in indigenous medicine (as medicinal food) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Different elemental constituents at trace levels of plant play an effective role in the medicines prepared. A total of 11 elements Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn have been measured. Their concentrations have been found to vary in different samples. Result of the present study provides vital data on the availability of some essential minerals, which can be useful to provide dietary information for designing value –added foods and for food bio fortification. Apart from this, data on the contaminated levels of heavy metals highlights the necessity on the quality and safety concerns about their use. Medicinal properties of these plant samples and their elemental distribution also correlated.