Determination of metals in some thai tradition medicines using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)

Abstract

This research work aims to analyse of metals in thai tradition medicines using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The sample groups were divided into four catagories which were Snuff , balsam, gentian violet and drug pickled liquor. Six metals, Aluminium (Al), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mn) and Lead (Pb), were studied. In Snuff, the amount of Al was in the range of ND-0.017 ppm, the amount of Cd was in the range of ND-0.017 ppm, the amount of Cr was in the range of 0.041-0.173 ppm, the amount of Cu was in the range of ND-0.244 ppm, Moreover, Mn content was in the range of 0.633-2.384 ppm. In the case of balsam, the amount of Al was in the range of 0-0.575 ppm, the amount of Cd was in the range of ND-0.004 ppm, the amount of Cr was in the range of 0.025-0.570 ppm, the amount of Mn was in the range of 0.460-0.754 ppm, whilst none of Cu and Pb was detected. In the case of gentian violet, the amount of Cr was in the range of 0.033-0.063 ppm, the amount of Mn was in the range of 0.165-0.543 ppm, whilst none of Al Cd Cu and Pb was detected. In the case of medicine pickled, the amount of Cr was in the range of ND-0.058 ppm, the amount of Mn was in the range of ND-0.264 ppm the amount of Ni was in the range of 0-0.034 ppm, no metals Al Cd Cu and Pb was observed. The detected metals in thai tradition medicines have the contamination value under the optimization scale for consumable under WHO. It show that some metals were retained in thai tradition medicines and the contamination level of metals in were acceptable.