Mineral Composition, multivariate analysis of some oligo-elements and heavy metals in some species of genus Thymus

The aromatic and medicinal plants are an excellent source of most of nutrients and essential source of vitamins and minerals that play a vital role in ameliorating food deficit and overcoming nutritional problem. This study was conceived to evaluate minerals and heavy metals extracted from the aerial parts of three medicinal species of Moroccan thyme (Thymus willdenowiiBoiss, Thymus pallidus and Thymus zygis subsp.gracilis). The oligo-element and heavy metals were investigated using ICP-AES techniques. Investigations of metal accumulation in the screened plants indicated that element accumulation in different plants varied by species and aerial parts. (K, 180.11±39.83; Ca, 156.38±30.29; P, 36.56±10.44; Mg, 35.69±9.6 and Fe 13.97±6.96 mg/kg), were respectively, the major elements of T. pallidus stems parts. The level of Zn and Na were the highest in T. zygis leaves and flowers parts. The important level of Si was observed in T. willdenowiiBoiss flower and leaves parts, respectively, 3.47±0.33 and 2.7±0.6 mg/kg. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, were used to reduce the number of variables into four factors with 89.3% of the total variance.