Determination of trace element levels in flowers and leaves of vicia faba by ICP-MS

As the flowers and leaves of vicia faba contain high levels of levodopa used in the treatment of Parkinson s disease, its use in alternative medicine is becoming more and more common. In general, the flowers and leaves of vicia faba are consumed as tea. Besides some trace elements, they show a significant role in human nutrition and may pose a risk to human health at high levels. However, there is not much literature on chemical analysis of flowers and leaves of vicia faba. Their element content has not been studied yet. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to determine the trace elements contents of the vicia faba flowers and leaves. Mineral distribution ranging from the trace to the main elements for this plant samples were dried, weighed, digested and analyzed by ICP MS. Thirteen element contents of flowers and leaves have been analyzed. Potassium, calcium and magnesium have been found at high concentrations in flowers and leaves. Among trace metals, iron had the highest concentration, followed by Zinc, Aluminium, Manganese, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Lead and Cadmium. The analysis showed that the toxic Cadmium element is in a low concentration and was within the limit allowed by the World Health Organization. As a result, vicia faba leaves and flowers can be used safely as medicinal plants. However, it should not be consumed in excessive amounts.