[Determination of trace metal elements in Zanthoxylum nitidum by ICP-AES]

The contents of twenty microelements were determined in the root, stem and leaf of traditional Chinese herbs, Zanthoxylum nitidum by ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry) analytical technology. For such method, their recovery ratio obtained by standard addition method ranged between 89% and 107.5%, and most of RSDs were lower than 4%, with good correction and precision. The analytical results show that there exist different contents from the different parts of the plant. There are most rich elements such as Mg, Na, K, and Ca in its three parts, while Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Sr and some toxic elements Cd, Cr, Pb and Bi were also detected; four elements, Se, V, Mo and Hg, were not detected in all parts. There exist many kinds of metal elements benefiting human being health, which may provide useful information for the usage of the herbs and for the study of the relationship between the elements in Chinese traditional medicine and its bioactivities.