Determination of some micro- and macroelements in preparations made from peppermint and nettle leaves.

Abstract

As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined by ICP-MS and ET-AAS in preparations made from peppermint and nettle leaves after microwave high pressure digestion with nitric acid. In preparation from nettle leaves the Ca content was more than three times higher than in preparations made from peppermint leaves. Only very small differences (less than 10%) were observed for all the other elements. In all the samples investigated the content of inorganic elements were below the WHO limit (where existing). Variation coefficients ranged from 0.68% to 10.5% for ICP-MS measurements and from 1.48% to 10.0% for ET-ASS.