The content of heavy metals in leaves of Plantago major in Kemerovo region

The influence of technogenic pollution on medical plants causes accumulation of various toxins in the parts used medicinally. The prospect of preparation of crude drugs near sources of emission increases due to urban growth, the increase of the number of vehicles, the expansion of production areas. This is relevant for Kuzbas, which is a major industrial centre of Western Siberia. The level of accumulation of heavy metals in plants depends not only on their amount in the ground, but also on the degree of air pollution by industrial waste, transport, etc. One of the ways of getting heavy metals into the human body is herbs that serve as raw material for medicine production. However, the content of heavy metals in medicinal plants, including wild ones, is still not standardized, so many researchers for hygienic evaluation of raw medicinal plants use indicators selected for biologically active additives to vegetable food. The leaves and roots of Plantain major L. were the object of our research. Collecting of the plant material was produced in summer in natural phytocenosis remote from roads and industrial enterprises. The ground samples from the top layers where roots of the researched type are located were simultaneously selected. Heavy metal content was determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry for AAS-3. The data were processed using standard statistical methods. The content of eight heavy metals in the samples was determined: cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, mercury. The test results showed that the content of heavy metals in Plantago major L. leaves is within the range of admissible for the biologically active additives to vegetable food SanPin (Health Rules and Regulations) 2.3.2.560-2002. Thus, in Kemerovo region, stocking Plantago major L. leaves is permitted, provided strict compliance with the rules of provision of medicinal plant materials.

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