Elemental composition of the Mentha Leaf by synchrotron radiation induced energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

The present study indicates the promise of synchrotron radiation-based energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy technique as a quick, sensitive, reliable, multi-element, high throughput method for examining the elemental profile of medicinal plants' tissue like mentha leaves. For this, about 250 mg of the sample's fine powder was compressed into a thick pellet with a 1.5 cm diameter using a 2 tonnes semi-automatic hydraulic pellet press. On the microfocus X-ray fluorescence beamline (BL-16) of the Indus-2 synchrotron radiation facility at RRCAT, Indore, measurements of the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence of pellets excited by synchrotron radiation were made. The analysis of the acquired fluorescence spectrum reveals the occurrence of the elements potassium, calcium, titanium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, and selenium in the leaves of Menthe in varied concentration. (author)