Accumulation and transport of Solanum torvum Swartz. to heavy metals from soil.

[Objective] This study was to investigate the accumulation and absorption characteristics of Solanum torvum Swartz. to heavy metals from soil, so as to guarantee the safe use of traditional Chinese medicine. [Method] Using S. torvum sampled from its main distribution areas as experimental materials, the contents of eight heavy metals of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the roots, stems and the habitat soil these plants grew were determined to analyze the distribution law of heavy metals in different parts of S. torvum and the soil, as well as the accumulation and transport capacity of S. torvum plants sampled from different producing areas to heavy metals. [Result] S. torvum and corresponding habitat soil collected from different sampling plots differed significantly in the contents of heavy metals. Contents of Cu, Pb and As in roots of S. torvum exceeded the national standard, and the absorption of S. torvum to heavy metals was interactional. The contents of accumulated Cu and Ni in roots of S. torvum ranked the first and second, respectively, whereas all the heavy metals did not accumulate remarkably in stems and displayed a lower transport coefficient. [Conclusion] S. torvum roots accumulated most of the heavy metals and its stems could be used as the main medicinal parts.