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Quantitative Assessment of Mineral Composition of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. leaves by ICP-MS and CHNS Analyzer

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Sunil Pawar at Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University
Sunil Pawar
Vanita Mohan Kamble at Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University
Vanita Mohan Kamble
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Abstract and Figures

Aloe vera has spectacular medicinal properties and has long history for their therapeutic applications. The aim of this study is to analyze concentration of macro, micro and trace elements from Aloe vera leaves for understanding their nutritive and pharmaceutical values. The elemental analysis has been done by using ICP-MS and CHNS Analyzer. The concentration of basic elements like Carbon (36783 ppm), Hydrogen (7300 ppm) and Nitrogen (51140 ppm) has been found maximum. The concentration of Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Barium, Boron, Sodium, Zinc, Mangenese and Aluminium was found 8031 ppm, 869.9 ppm, 4464.8 ppm, 558.3 ppm, 18.57 ppm, 21.5 ppm, 40.8 ppm, 63.8 ppm and 966 ppm respectively. Aluminium is a heavy metal and has been found quite high in Aloe vera leaves. The leaves of Aloe vera contain trace elements like Arsenic (0.31 ppm), Lead (1.02 ppm), Chromium (4.6 ppm), Copper (9.48 ppm), Selenium (43.13 ppm), Nickel (2.98 ppm), Molybdenum (0.96 ppm) and Ferrous (49.1 ppm). Tin is a toxic metal, the traces of which have been found to be 11.8 ppm. Some heavy and toxic metals like Mercury, Silver, Cadmium, Lithium, Beryllium and Bismuth have not been detected in Aloe vera leaves.
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International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2014): 5.611
Volume 4 Issue 10, October 2015
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Quantitative Assessment of Mineral Composition of
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. leaves by ICP-MS and
CHNS Analyzer.
Pawar S. G.1, Kamble V. M.2
1, 2Department of Botany, Yashwantrao Mohite College, Erandwane, Pune, 411038,, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune (India)
Abstract: Aloe vera has spectacular medicinal properties and has long history for their therapeutic applications. The aim of this study
is to analyze concentration of macro, micro and trace elements from Aloe vera leaves for understanding their nutritive and
pharmaceutical values. The elemental analysis has been done by using ICP-MS and CHNS Analyzer. The concentration of basic
elements like Carbon (36783 ppm), Hydrogen (7300 ppm) and Nitrogen (51140 ppm) has been found maximum. The concentration of
Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Barium, Boron, Sodium, Zinc, Mangenese and Aluminium was found 8031 ppm, 869.9
ppm, 4464.8 ppm, 558.3 ppm, 18.57 ppm, 21.5 ppm, 40.8 ppm, 63.8 ppm and 966 ppm respectively. Aluminium is a heavy metal and has
been found quite high in Aloe vera leaves. The leaves of Aloe vera contain trace elements like Arsenic (0.31 ppm), Lead (1.02 ppm),
Chromium (4.6 ppm), Copper (9.48 ppm), Selenium (43.13 ppm), Nickel (2.98 ppm), Molybdenum (0.96 ppm) and Ferrous (49.1 ppm).
Tin is a toxic metal, the traces of which have been found to be 11.8 ppm. Some heavy and toxic metals like Mercury, Silver, Cadmium,
Lithium, Beryllium and Bismuth have not been detected in Aloe vera leaves.
Keywords: Aloe vera, Therapeutic, Pharmaceutical values, Concentration, Basic elements, Metals, Trace element.
1. Introduction
Mineral elements are essential for human life; they may be
beneficial or harmful. The human body contains at least 60
detectable chemical elements. However, only about 25 of
these are believed to participate in the healthy functioning of
the human body (Nielsen F.H., 1999). Analysis of mineral
elements is most important to understand the
pharmacological and nutritional values of medicinal plants.
Mineral elements play important role in biochemical and
metabolic reactions in the living organism, which are mainly
responsible for the formation of active organic constituents
(Serfor-Armah et.al, 2001). The minerals have been
categorized in to major, minor and trace elements on the
basis of their availability in the plants. Their deficiency
causes diseases whereas the excess presence may cause
toxicity (Hashmi et.al, 2007). Medicinal plants contain vital
elements which are widely used as a precursor for regulated
pharmaceutical products. Medicinal values of the
pharmaceutical products are due to the presence of
secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are the
precursors of secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites
like flavonoids, alkaloids, lipids, polyphenols etc. play
important role in the formulation of drugs (Pawar et.al,
2015). Polluted environment is accountable for the incidence
of toxic metals in the medicinal plants. Environmental
contamination due to metals exerts physiological stress that
is clearly too severe for survival of most species by means of
physiological acclimatization, rather than genetic adaptation
(Tongue, 1998). Traditional herbal medicines are used for
treatment of various illnesses, but sometimes they could turn
out to be toxic because of the presence of some heavy metals
and other impurities apart from the pharmacological effect.
For example inorganic arsenic causes cancer (Uddin, 2011).
Elemental analysis of medicinal plants is also helpful for
knowing the quantity of heavy and toxic metals and quality
of that medicinal plant.
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. is a xerophytic plant, it belongs to the
family Liliaceae and in Maharashtra it is commonly known
as Korphad. It is traditionally used for curing various
diseases like stomach disorders, burns etc. because of their
medicinal properties. Aloe vera shows several
pharmacological activities including antiarthritis, antifungal
(Rosca et al, 2007), antibacterial (Heggers et. al, 1979),
hypoglycemic (Tanaka et.al, 2006), anti-inflammatory (Che
et.al, 1991), anticancer (Furukawa et. al, 1991), wound
healing (Fulton, 1990) and antiaging (West et. al, 2003) etc.
Earlier researchers have reported presence of Al, B, Ba, Ca,
Fe, Mg, Na, p and Si in Aloe vera gel. The pharmacological
properties and toxicity of the medicinal plants depend on the
presence of elements. Therefore quantitative assessment of
elemental concentration is important and essential to
understand their nutritive and pharmacological value. In
view of this aspect, present investigation has been
undertaken.
2. Material and Method
Collection and Identification
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. fresh plants have been collected from
Kothrud, Pune and identified and authenticated from
Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Pune. The specimen
(VMK-9) has been deposited in the herbarium of Botanical
Survey of India, Pune, Maharashtra (India).
The matured Aloe vera leaves were shade dried and
powdered by using mechanical grinder.
Digestion process of Plant Samples
Dry plant powder samples were digested by using Mars
protein analyzer digester. Dry powder (0.5g) of Aloe leaves
was taken in the tube; 5ml acidifying water was added
followed by 1 ml hydrogen peroxide solution and 4 ml nitric
acid. One blank sample was also kept in the digester. Then
Paper ID: SUB159022
1372
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2014): 5.611
Volume 4 Issue 10, October 2015
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
the program of the digester was created in three steps by
setting the method as follows:
Table 1: Programme settings for the Mars digester
instrument
Parameters
First step
Second step
Third step
Ramp
5º
10º
10º
Temperature
60º
150º
190º
Power
800
1200
1600
Hold time
5
5
20
Preparation of plant sample solution:
The sample after digestion was removed from the digester.
Then it was poured into 25 ml volumetric flask and the level
was adjusted by adding acidifying water and used for the
ICP –MS analysis.
Preparation of standard solution:
The standard solution of 10 ppm was prepared from 1000
ppm multi element standard solution of Fluka make.
Sample analysis
The prepared sample solution and standard solution were
introduced in ICP-MS to determine elemental content. The
linearity of standard solution was kept as 0.1 ppb, 0.5 ppb, 1
ppb, 5 ppb, 10 ppb, 50 ppb and 100 ppb. Then freshly
prepared 5% acidifying water was introduced in ICP-MS
followed by standard solutions of different linearity. Again
freshly prepared 5% acidifying water was introduced
followed by blank sample. Then the plant sample solution
was introduced followed by blank sample. The data analysis
was done by using ICP-MS TOP Batch Analysis software.
Estimation of Carbon , Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur
by CHNS Analyzer
Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur are the basic
elements of living nature. Their quantitative determination is
most necessary for physiological aspects. The CHNS(O)
Analyzer is used for determining the percentages of Carbon,
Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur as well as Oxygen in case
of organic compounds, based on the principle of "Dumas
method" which involves the complete and instantaneous
oxidation of the sample by "flash combustion". After
combustion, the products are separated by a
chromatographic column and detected with the help of a
thermal conductivity detector (T.C.D.), which gives an
output signal proportional to the concentration of the
individual components of the mixture.
The CHNS(O) analyzer (Make: Thermo Finnigan, Italy;
Model: FLASH EA 1112 series) was used to determine the
percentages of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N) and
Sulphur (S) present in the Aloe vera Leaves. The test was
carried out at Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility
(SAIF), IIT Bombay.
3. Results and Discussion
The elemental composition of Aloe vera Leaves by CHNS
Analyzer is given in the Table No. 2 and by ICP-MS in the
Table No. 3. The maximum concentrations of Carbon,
Hydrogen and Nitrogen have been found in Aloe vera leaves
i.e 367830 ppm, 51140 ppm and 7300 ppm respectively but
sulphur has not been detected (Table No. 1 and Fig. No.1).
Paper ID: SUB159022
1373
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2014): 5.611
Volume 4 Issue 10, October 2015
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen are the basic element and
most important in living organisms. Nitrogen is an essential
building blocks of amino acids and nucleic acids. All
organic compounds are mostly containing hydrocarbons.
Whereas the concentration of Magnesium, Phosphorus,
Potassium, Calcium, Barium, Boron, Sodium, Zinc,
Manganese and Aluminium was found 8031 ppm, 869.9
ppm, 4464.8 ppm, 558.3 ppm, 18.57 ppm, 21.5 ppm, 40.8
ppm, 63.8 ppm and 966 ppm respectively (Fig No.1, 2 & 3).
Concentration of Aluminium was found to be quite high in
Aloe vera leaves. Magnesium element is abundantly present
in the human being, which is distributed in bones (60%),
skeletal muscles and soft tissues (30-40 %) and extracellular
fluids (1%). Mg plays crucial role in lipid membrane
stabilization, replication and metabolic processes
(Hartwig (2001), (Yang et al. (2006), (Selmer et al. (2006),
(Klein et al. (2004), (Beaven et al. (1990), (Payandeh et
al. (2013).
Rajendran et al (2007) analysed trace elements in Aloe vera
by AAS, which showed that concentrations of Potassium,
Magnesium, Sodium and Zinc were more than 200 µg and
has also been recorded average concentrations of Lead,
Manganese, Cobalt, Copper, Cadmium, Nickel, Iron and
Aluminium as 0.7 µg, 0.8 µg, 0.1 µg, 1.8 µg, 0.04 µg, 0.3
µg, 20 µg and 11 µg respectively. Manganese is essential for
metabolism, reproduction, immunological system and
growth of connective tissues in animal. But high level of Mn
is toxic to the body, which causes neurodegenerative
disorders (Avila et al, 2013). Phosphorus, Potassium,
Sodium and Calcium are macro elements present in high
amount in leaves of Aloe vera. Potassium and Sodium both
are essential and they play crucial role in the cellular
homeostasis (Pohl et. al, 2013). Calcium is main component
in bone and helpful for regulating skeletal and cardiac
muscles contractions (Toyoshima et. al, 2000). Zinc is most
important and plays a role in the structure of proteins as well
as in enzymatic catalyst (Auld, 2001). Aloe vera leaves
showed satisfactory concentration of Zinc i.e. 63.8 ppm.
Paper ID: SUB159022
1374
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2014): 5.611
Volume 4 Issue 10, October 2015
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Zinc and Potassium are effective to enhance the
concentration of insulin and prevent diabetes (Conlston
(1980) & Underwood (1986).
Present analysis shows that the leaves of Aloe vera contain
trace elements like Arsenic (0.31 ppm), Lead (1.02 ppm),
Chromium (4.6 ppm), Copper (9.48 ppm), Selenium (43.13
ppm), Nickel (2.98 ppm), Molybdenum (0.96 ppm) and
Ferrous (49.1 ppm). Tin is a toxic metal, the traces of which
have been found to be 11.8 ppm. Some heavy and toxic
metals like Mercury, Silver, Cadmium, Lithium, Beryllium
and Bismuth have not been detected in Aloe vera leaves.
Selenium, Molybdenum, Manganese, Chromium, Boron,
Arsenic and Nickel are used in ultratrace amount for the
health benefit of animals (Nielsen, 1984; 1998). Sharma et
al. (2011) revealed that Aloe vera can be used as a good
treatment option for waste water and polluted soil because it
absorbs trace elements from the soil. From this point of view
in present study, concentrations of some heavy metals like
Aluminium, Tin, Lead and Arsenic have been found quite
high helping to decrease soil and water pollution.
4. Conclusion
The result showed basic and macro elements like C, H, N,
Ca, K, P and Mg which were found in maximum
concentrations in Aloe vera leaves. Trace elements such as
Ar, Pb, Cr, Co, Se, Ni, Mo and Fe have been recorded in
sufficient concentration which are necessary to human
health and concentrations ranged from 0.32 – 258.3 ppm.
Tin is a toxic metal, the traces of which have been found to
be 11.8 ppm. Hg, Cd, Li, Ag, Bi and Be are heavy and toxic
metals which have not been detected in Aloe vera leaves. In
present study traces of some heavy metals like Aluminium,
Tin, Lead and Arsenic also detected because Aloe vera has
heavy metal absorbance ability and used in polluted soil for
treatment purpose. One more importance of this study is that
Aloe vera proves the biological role and heavy metal
absorbance ability. The elements play vital role in
formulation and medicinal properties of any herbal drugs.
The Aloe vera leaves showed adequate amount of elemental
concentrations hence prove their medicinal and nutritional
properties.
5. Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to Prof. (Dr.) Shivajirao Kadam.
Vice Chanceller and Prin. Dr. K. D. Jadhav for
encouragement and facilities during present investigation
and UGC for financial support.
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ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
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1376
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Full-text available
  • Mar 2022
Products from natural ingredients such as aloe vera must be high quality and meet standardization aspects. Determination of secondary metabolites and mineral levels is part of the standardization of natural product products. The dosage formula needs to be optimized to get the best formula based on evaluating the physical properties of the gel preparation. This study aimed to analyze the highest mineral and metabolite content between aloe vera from South Kalimantan and West Kalimantan, as well as the optimum formula for aloe vera gel based on its physical properties. The research method used is to perform sample preparation, extraction, analysis of minerals and secondary metabolites by spectroscopy. The data were analyzed descriptively, and the results showed that the content of iron, calcium, and zinc originating from West Kalimantan was 0.314 mg/g; 93.42 mg/g; 0.059 mg/g, while South Kalimantan 0.064 mg/g, 53.24 mg/g, 0.032 mg/g. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthraquinone levels from West Kalimantan were 0.512%, 1.31%, respectively, 2.28%, while those from South Kalimantan were 0.321%, 1.12%, 1.14%. The best formula for aloe vera gel is formula three, which has a darker color and meets the requirements of the physical properties of the gel. This study concludes that the highest mineral content in aloe vera comes from West Kalimantan, the highest secondary metabolite content also comes from West Kalimantan. And the best formula is the third formula with 20% natural dyes. Suggestions for further research are to examine the mineral content and secondary metabolites of aloe vera in various places in Indonesia so that the best aloe vera can be known.
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... They have been investigated for their role as antioxidants and functioning of different enzymes in various metabolic pathways. Some other trace elements, such as lead, Pb, boron, B, strontium, Sr, aluminium, Al and cadmium, Cd are reported as toxic elements [20]. ...
Immunobiology and Application of Aloe vera-Based Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering
Article
Full-text available
Aloe vera (AV), a succulent plant belonging to the Liliaceae family, has been widely used for biomedical and pharmaceutical application. Its popularity stems from several of its bioactive components that have anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and even immunomodulatory effects. Given such unique multi-modal biological impact, AV has been considered as a biomaterial for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications, where tissue repair and neo-angiogenesis are vital. This review outlines the growing scientific evidence that demonstrates the advantage of AV as tissue engineering scaffolds. We particularly highlight the recent advances in the application of AV-based scaffolds. From a tissue engineering perspective, it is pivotal that the implanted scaffolds strike an appropriate foreign body response to be well-accepted in the body without complications. Herein, we highlight the key cellular processes that regulate the foreign body response to implanted scaffolds and underline the immunomodulatory effects incurred by AV on the innate and adaptive system. Given that AV has several beneficial components, we discuss the importance of delving deeper into uncovering its action mechanism and thereby improving material design strategies for better tissue engineering constructs for biomedical applications.
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... Rajendran et al. [30] analyzed trace elements in the Aloe gel and showed that K, Mg, Zn, and Na concentrations exceeded 200 μg. The aforementioned findings are consistent with those reported by Pawar and Kamble [31], who reported that K and Ca are high-level macro-elements in Aloe vera leaves compared to other elements. ...
Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Mango Juice and Aloe Vera Gel and their Effect on Diabetic Rats
Preprint
  • Aug 2020
Aloe vera gel contains several vitamins and minerals, which make it rich in antioxidants and aid in managing different chronic conditions. Aloe vera, along with other fruits, is used to produce many fruit beverages. Therefore, the present work was designed to investigate effects on the sensory, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of the juice from various combinations of Aloe gel (7.5, 15, and 25 percent) with mango juice. Some biochemical parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were also recorded for the effects of aloe gel, mango juice, and their combination. Sensory tests showed lower acceptability for juices with a content of 25 percent Aloe vera, while other scores obtained were good and deemed satisfactory. Calcium and chromium content in 25 percent aloe vera gel treatment was significantly (p<0.05) highest for mineral content, while phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium content were lower compared to other treatments. Results also showed that mango juice content of the antioxidant activity, phenols, and flavonoids increased with rising gel concentration in the blends. The administration of aloe-mango juice has resulted in a significant decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol compared with other diabetic groups. A significant decrease in serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP in animals receiving Aloe-mango juice relative to mango juice group was observed. Furthermore, Aloe-mango juice treatment ameliorated the oxidative stress as demonstrated by a substantial decrease in the serum MDA level in the treated group as opposed to the diabetic mango juice group. These findings of the present investigation support the use of Aloe gel for elevating the nutritional properties of the supplemented juices; it can be recommended to consume these juices as part of a healthy diet, especially for diabetic persons.
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... The TGA curves correspond to a degradation of the sample through a pyrolysis reaction, resulting in a residue (ash). In the case of HD-PM-EA, the percentage of ash was higher than that of HD BA, since AL has a higher concentration of minerals and other inorganic compounds [55,56]. Consequently, HD-PM-EA 2% would also have a higher ash percentage than HD-PM-EA 1%. ...
Polyacrylamide-Metilcellulose Hydrogels Containing Aloe barbadensis Extract as Dressing for Treatment of Chronic Cutaneous Skin Lesions
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2020
Chronic wounds are severe breaks in the skin barrier that fail to heal in an acceptable time-frame, thus preventing the complete restoration of the tissue’s anatomical and functional integrity, increasing the likelihood of infections and apoptosis. Hydrogels are known as a drug delivery system and have the potential to cover wounds and burns on the skin. Aloe barbadensis contains over 75 different bioactive compounds which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In this study, the polyacrylamide-co-methylcellulose hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis were developed. The extract was prepared from lyophilized Aloe barbadensis, using methanolic extraction, characterized by high performance liquid chromatography and incorporated into the hydrogels. These Aloe barbadensis hydrogels were characterized by degree of swelling, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal profiling using thermogravimetric analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration test was done on the Aloe barbadensis extract to evaluate its antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro. The Aloe barbadensis hydrogels and were shown to swell to almost 2000% of their original sizes. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of bands characteristic of Aloe barbadensis and hydrogel polymers. The basic hydrogel showed greater thermal stability than the hydrogels with Aloe barbadensis. The minimum inhibitory concentration showed inhibition of the growth of S. aureus and Salmonella spp. at specific concentrations. The hydrogel therefore presents itself as an excellent potential curative cover of cutaneous lesions.
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... ppm), P (869.9 ppm) and Mg (8031 ppm). Trace elements such as As, Mo, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Sn, Ba, B, Zn, Se, Fe, Mn and Al have been recorded in sufficient concentrations ranging from 0.32-966 ppm in Aloe vera but are regarded as necessary to human health in very low amounts [28]. ...
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Characterization of Eclipta prostrata method, CHNS and ICP
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2017
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. is a medicinal herb which has wide application in the indigenous medicinal system. Chemical constituents play important role in any therapeutic activity. CHNS and ICP determination of chemical composition of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. leaves. Various functional groups were determined by using FTIR spectroscopy method. Elemental analys pharmaceutically essential elements such as B, and Zn. Some traces of heavy metals also have been observed. The FTIR spectroscopy is important to peak values with various functional groups. The aqueous, methanolic and acetone extracts of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. leaves were used for FTIR analysis which successfully revealed presence of medicinally and The present investigation has proved that Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. has some bioactive compounds and may be useful for isolation of pharmacologically important components. It would help to find new drug formulations.
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A tabulated review on distribution of heavy metals in various plants
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2017
  • ENVIRON SCI POLLUT R
Plants are a rich source of elements, and knowledge of their elemental composition determines their use for various purposes, especially for food and medicine. Therefore, it is necessary to create a database of the elemental composition of plants. The present review focuses on the concentration of various heavy metals as reported by various workers from time to time by using different sophisticated techniques. Cluster analysis was applied on the basis of mean values of heavy metals in plants. Co, Cu, and Cr have similar proximities. Cluster analysis was also applied to different families on the basis of their heavy metal contents. Elaeagnaceae, Adoxaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Cupressaceae, and Acoraceae had close proximities with each other. First three components of principal component analysis explained 95.7 % of the total variance. Factor analysis explained four underlying factors for heavy metal analysis. Factor 1 explained for 26.5 % of the total variance and had maximum loadings on Co, Cu, and Cr. Of the total variance, 21.7 % was explained by factor 2 and had maximum loadings on Zn and Cd. Factor 3 accounted for 19.2 % of the total variance and had maximum loadings on Ni and Pb. Mn had maximum loading on factor 4. The mean values of heavy metals as listed in this paper are Cu (18.7 μg/g dw), Mn (99.67 μg/g dw), Cr (22.9 μg/g dw), Co (19.7 μg/g dw), As (1.25 μg/g dw), Hg (0.17 μg/g dw), Zn (94.0 μg/g dw), Pb (6.93 μg/g dw), Cd (26.9 μg/g dw), Ni (19.9 μg/g dw), and Sb (0.25 μg/g dw).
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Manganese in Health and Disease
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2013
Manganese is an important metal for human health, being absolutely necessary for development, metabolism, and the antioxidant system. Nevertheless, excessive exposure or intake may lead to a condition known as manganism, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes dopaminergic neuronal death and parkinsonian-like symptoms. Hence, Mn has a paradoxal effect in animals, a Janus-faced metal. Extensive work has been carried out to understand Mn-induced neurotoxicity and to find an effective treatment. This review focuses on the requirement for Mn in human health as well as the diseases associated with excessive exposure to this metal.
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Study of the trace elements in Aloe vera L. (Aloe barbandensis Miller) viz. Liliaceae and its biological and environmental Importance
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2011
The mineral are usually required in small amount for the development of the plants and organisms. Excessive uptake of these trace elements by plants affects the metabolic activities of plant as well as animals. However these metals also play an important role in control of many diseases in humans. In the present study an attempt has been made to analyse the trace elements in the Aloe vera L. (Aloe barbandensis Miller) viz. Liliaceae leaves from the three locations namely Aligarh, Bareilly and Haridwar region of India. The concentration of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were found quit high in all the samples. It also can be used as herbal drug deciding the dosage of herbal drug preparation. Results also reveal that the Aloe vera can be used as a good treatment option for waste water and polluted soil because it absorbs trace elements from the soil.
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Zinc coordination sphere in biochemical zinc sites
Chapter
  • Jan 2001
Zinc is known to be indispensable to growth and development and transmission of the genetic message. It does this through a remarkable mosaic of zinc binding motifs that orchestrate all aspects of metabolism. There are now nearly 200 three dimensional structures for zinc proteins, representing all six classes of enzymes and covering a wide range of phyla and species. These structures provide standards of reference for the identity and nature of zinc ligands in other proteins for which only the primary structure is known. Three primary types of zinc sites are apparent from examination of these structures: structural,catalytic and cocatalytic. The most common amino acids that supply ligands to these sites are His, Glu, Asp and Cys. In catalytic sites zinc generally forms complexes with water and any three nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur donors with His being the predominant amino acid chosen. Water is always a ligand to such sites. Structural zinc sites have four protein ligands and no bound water molecule. Cys is the preferred ligand in such sites. Cocatalytic sites contain two or three metals in close proximity with two of the metals bridged by a side chain moiety of a single amino acid residue, such as Asp, Glu or His and sometimes a water molecule. Asp and His are the preferred amino acids for these sites. No Cys ligands are found in such sites. The scaffolding of the zinc sites is also important to the function and reactivity of the bound metal. The influence of zinc on quaternary protein structure has led to the identification of a fourth type of zinc binding site, protein interface. In this case zinc sites are formed from ligands supplied from amino acid residues residing in the binding surface of two proteins. The resulting zinc site usually has the coordination properties of a catalytic or structural zinc binding site.
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Ultratrace elements in nutrition: Current knowledge and speculation
Article
  • Jan 1998
  • J Trace Elem Exp Med
The term ultratrace element has been defined as an element with an established, estimated, or suspected requirement generally indicated by μg/day for humans. Between 1970 and 1984, it was suggested that 11 elements should be added to the list of ultratrace elements that included chromium, molybdenum, and selenium; these elements were arsenic, boron, bromine, cadmium, fluorine, lead, lithium, nickel, silicon, tin, and vanadium. Since 1984, it has been suggested that three more elements, aluminum, germanium, and rubidium, should be added to the list, and circumstantial evidence has continued to accumulate which indicates that several of the ultratrace elements in addition to iodine and selenium, particularly arsenic, boron, chromium, nickel, silicon, and vanadium, are more important in nutrition than currently acknowledged. This evidence includes findings from human studies suggesting that boron has an essential function or beneficial effect in calcium metabolism, brain function, energy metabolism, and perhaps immune processes; and that chromium has an essential function in potentiating insulin action in the metabolism of glucose and lipids, and/or a beneficial effect on diabetes resulting from inadequate synthesis of insulin or insulin resistance. The major shortcoming that has prevented the unequivocal acceptance of the nutritional importance of any of the ultratrace elements suggested as being essential since 1970 and chromium is that a specific biochemical function has not been identified for any of these elements. The current status of the evidence suggesting essentiality, the possible biological function, and speculated dietary need for each of the 15 elements without an identified biochemical function is reviewed.
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Assessment of the level of trace metals in commonly edible vegetables locally available in the markets of Karachi City
Article
  • Jun 2007
A study was carried out to determine the concentrations of trace metals in common vegetables, which are locally available in the markets of Karachi for consumers. Samples of 18 varieties of vegetables, belonging to malvaceae, solanaceae, cucurbitaceae, crucifeareae, liliaceae, labiate, chenopodeaceae and zingaberaceae families were procured from local markets of different areas of Karachi and analyzed for Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Cr by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The data is reputed at 99% (± 2S) confidence level after triplicate measure. Maximum concentration of Fe was found to be 32.3 µg/g in spinach, Zn 8.6 µg/g in ladyfinger, Mn 5.6 µg/g in mint, Cu 3.3 µg/g in mustard and chromium 1.2 µg/g in coriander. The overall content of trace metals appeared to be within the limit laid down for safe human consumption.
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Making and Breaking Nucleic Acids: Two-Mg 2+Ion Catalysis and Substrate Specificity
Article
  • Apr 2006
  • MOL CELL
DNA and a large proportion of RNA are antiparallel duplexes composed of an unvarying phosphosugar backbone surrounding uniformly stacked and highly similar base pairs. How do the myriad of enzymes (including ribozymes) that perform catalysis on nucleic acids achieve exquisite structure or sequence specificity? In all DNA and RNA polymerases and many nucleases and transposases, two Mg2+ ions are jointly coordinated by the nucleic acid substrate and catalytic residues of the enzyme. Based on the exquisite sensitivity of Mg2+ ions to the ligand geometry and electrostatic environment, we propose that two-metal-ion catalysis greatly enhances substrate recognition and catalytic specificity.
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Ultratrace elements in nutrition: Current knowledge and speculation
Article
  • Jan 1998
  • J Trace Elem Exp Med
The term ultratrace element has been defined as an element with an established, estimated, or suspected requirement generally indicated by μg/day for humans. Between 1970 and 1984, it was suggested that 11 elements should be added to the list of ultratrace elements that included chromium, molybdenum, and selenium; these elements were arsenic, boron, bromine, cadmium, fluorine, lead, lithium, nickel, silicon, tin, and vanadium. Since 1984, it has been suggested that three more elements, aluminum, germanium, and rubidium, should be added to the list, and circumstantial evidence has continued to accumulate which indicates that several of the ultratrace elements in addition to iodine and selenium, particularly arsenic, boron, chromium, nickel, silicon, and vanadium, are more important in nutrition than currently acknowledged. This evidence includes findings from human studies suggesting that boron has an essential function or beneficial effect in calcium metabolism, brain function, energy metabolism, and perhaps immune processes; and that chromium has an essential function in potentiating insulin action in the metabolism of glucose and lipids, and/or a beneficial effect on diabetes resulting from inadequate synthesis of insulin or insulin resistance. The major shortcoming that has prevented the unequivocal acceptance of the nutritional importance of any of the ultratrace elements suggested as being essential since 1970 and chromium is that a specific biochemical function has not been identified for any of these elements. The current status of the evidence suggesting essentiality, the possible biological function, and speculated dietary need for each of the 15 elements without an identified biochemical function is reviewed.
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