Abstract

The world is facing a serious issue with plants contaminated by trace metals. Therefore, a consideration is required due to its danger that impacts both humans and animals. Herbs are extensively used worldwide for their seasoning and therapeutic properties. This study aimed to estimate the level of trace metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni) in selected customary herbs consumed in Saudi Arabia. The 5 samples of herbs were purchased from a local market in Jeddah City (Mint (Mentha), Basil (Ocimum), Arugula (Eruca sativa), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)). Acid digestion was applied to the plant leaves and trace metals concentrations were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Metals were observed to be available in varied concentrations in the herb plant samples. The highest metal values, especially in Arugula (ES) 218.3±1.9 mg/kg and 24.4±0.09 mg/kg for Zn and Ni respectively, Cr was under detection limit, Coriander (CS) 148.5±1.8 mg/kg and 17.3±0.07 mg/kg for Fe and Pb respectively, Mint (ME) 28.6±0.26 mg/kg for Cu, while Basil (OC) was recorded below the (WHO) permissible limits 18.9± 0.06 mg/kg and 1.1± 0.003 mg/kg for Zn and Cr respectively, besides all metals were higher than the (WHO) allowed limit in Parsley (PC). The study found that most of the examined herbs contained hazardous levels of trace metals that exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits.

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