ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF INDIGOFERA GERARDIANA WALL BY ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER (AAS)

Shafiq Ahmad Tariq 1 *, Tayyaba Bashharat 2 ,   Naeem Khan 1 and Yaqoobur Rehman 3 1 Institute of Basic Medical Science, Khyber Medical University Peshawar 2 Departement of Pharmacology, Khyber Medical College Peshawar 3 Department of Pharmacology, PCSIR Background: To determine the elemental contents in different parts of Indigoferagerardiana and to evaluate their nutritious value and toxic levels. Methodology: The fresh specimen of Indigoferagerardiana Wall was collected from upper Dir. The sample of the plant was dried under shadow, cut into small pieces and grinded to coarse powder. Powder was then used to analyse for macro nutrients by flame photometry and for micronutrients atomic absorption by spectrophotometer. Results: The window of acceptability for metallic ion is being exceeded by Fe, Ni, Cr & Co in certain parts of plants but normal in others. Mostly, the micronutrients detected in leaves were beyond normal limits. Conclusions: Our study showed the presence of substantial concentrations of micro- and macro-nutrients in IG samples of root, leaves and stem. Keywords : Indigoferagerardiana , Medicinal plants, Micronutrients, Macro nutrients, AAS(Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer) Address of corresponding author: * Shafiq Ahmad Tariq, PhD Associate Professor Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan shafiq_tariq2000@yahoo.com