SEM EVALUATION OF SAFETY LEVEL OF HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF ORTHOSIPHON STAMINEUS, TEUCRIUM POLIUM, AND BERBERIS VULGARIS DECOCTIONS

Ariyo M, Asmah R, Rusliza B, Fauziah O*

Abstract

SEM EVALUATION OF SAFETY LEVEL OF HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF ORTHOSIPHON STAMINEUS, TEUCRIUM POLIUM, AND BERBERIS VULGARIS DECOCTIONS

Ariyo M1, Asmah R1, Rusliza B2, Fauziah O2*

1 Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, 2 Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.

Food safety is one of the important and fundamental issues in agriculture and food industries. Due to serious risk effects of heavy metals on human health, food and beverages should be analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDX) is an excellent method for identifying heavy metals. In the present study, possible heavy metals contamination of Orthosiphon stamineus, Teucrium polium, and Berberis vulgaris have been analyzed using SEM. Results showed, used herbs were in safety range of heavy metals.

Keywords: SEM, EDX, heavy metals, Orthosiphon stamineus, Teucrium polium, Berberis vulgaris