Characterization of Heavy Metals in Extracts of Hypericum Medicinal Plant by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Heavy metals ion contents (Fe, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Co) in methanolic extracts of five species of Hypercum plant were studied. Two Pakistani species, Hypericum perforatum and Hypericum oblangifolium and three UK species, Hypericum olympicum, Hypericum moserarum and Hypericum androsaemum were analyzed for metal content by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Level of Pb and Ni was high in Pakistani species as compared to UK species. The highest concentration of Cr was found in Hypericum perforatum (Pak) while minimum concentration was found in Hypericum moserarum (UK). The highest mean value of copper was found in Hypericum olympicum (UK) followed by Hypericum perforatum (Pak). There was a little variation in case of Cd and Co while highest mean value of Fe content was found in Hypericum androsaemum (UK). However overall level of heavy metal content in the extracts of all the species under study was well below the critical limit.