Evaluation and Analysis of Inorganic Elements in Different Origins of Fructus Arctii by Microwave Digestion-ICP-AES

Abstract:

Objective: To determine the inorganic elements of 20 batches of Fructus Arctii by microwave digestion-ICP-AES. Method: Samples were digested by nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The content of 26 elements in Fructus Arctii was determined by ICP-AES, a blank experiment was made at the same time. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the quality of different batches of Fructus Arctii. Result: Fructus Arctii contained more than 12 inorganic elements and the content of six elements, including K, Al, Fe, S, Zn, Cu was higher. PCA with four factors (F₁, F₂, F₃, F₄) selected could be used to evaluate the quality of Fructus Arctii. The function was following F=0.298 74F₁+0.257 56F₂+0.144 49F₃+0.135 19F₄.The samples from Zhejiang, Hebei and Jilin provinces were the top three which indicated the quality in those regions were better based on inorganic elements. Conclusion: This method is fast, simple and accurate. All the results can provide a scientific basis for the quality analysis and comprehensive utilization of Fructus Arctii.