Proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and proton induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) studies of some medicinal plants of north east India

Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and proton induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) techniques were employed for the elemental analysis of twelve different plants traditionally used for medicinal purposes in north east India. PIXE is a well established ion beam analysis technique for the sensitive and non destructive determination of various elements having atomic number greater then eleven present in biological samples while PIGE offers a complementary method for the determination of light elements where the sensitivity of PIXE analysis is not quite adequate. When combined together, these analytical techniques provide concentrations of almost all elements present in the medicinal plants in quantities above ppm. Validity of the techniques was assured by analyzing certified plant reference materials (CRMs). A large number of trace elements like Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Na and Al are found to be present in the studied plants with variable proportions. K, Ca, Mg and P are quantified in percentage level while other elements are found to be present in parts per million levels. The results show that many of these plants contain elements of vital importance for human metabolism and prevention and healing of diseases. (author)