Analysis of Indian mint (Mentha spicata) for essential, trace and toxic elements and its antioxidant behaviour.

摘要: Mint, belonging to the genus Mentha in family Labiatae (Lamiaceae) is pungent taste with post digestive effects and hot potency. Ten samples of mint leaves, collected from four different locations North-West parts India (Roorkee, Dehradun, Baghpat Uttarkashi) were analysed for seven minor (Al, Na, K, Ca, Cl, Mg, P) 20 trace (As, Au, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Th Zn) elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Also Ni, Cu Cd determined atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Samples along reference materials (RMs) synthetic primary standard irradiated at approximately 10(13) n cm-2s-1 its gamma-activity was measured using HPGe detector MCA system. Most found widely varying amounts depending on location, e.g. Na (0.21-0.86 mg/g), K (12.4-53.3 mg/g) Ca (5.82-16.8 whereas mean contents other nutrient were: Fe (108+/-22 microg/g), Mg (4.83+/-0.92 Mn (53.5+/-9.6 P (3.88+/-0.94 (16.9+/-1.8 Zn (21.0+/-4.7 microg/g) Se (0.18+/-0.03 microg/g). Further, DPPH free radical scavenging activity test diethyl ether extract showed 100% 40 microg/L suggesting it be antioxidant accordance literature reports.