Fluoride and metals in Byrsonima crassifolia, a medicinal tree from the neotropical savannahs
The concentration of fluoride (F) in relation to mineral elements (K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, Al, Pb and Cd) and total phenols was evaluated in leaves of Byrsonima crassifolia. Young, adult and fallen leaves were sampled in a garden located outside an aluminium factory in Bolivar State, Venezuela and in two sites in the savannah about 5 and 8km away from the Al-smelter in the direction of the wind. A positive linear regression of F with Mn, Fe, Pb, Al, Ca, Mg, Cr and Zn was found for young and adult leaves. Leaves were sampled in two more distant sites (B1, B2) and in a contrasting site (M) at a region without Al mining or factories. In the vicinity of the smelter and in B1 the content of F was high compared to the normal range in plants. The difference in concentrations of F, Fe, Al and Pb was highly significant by leaf age and site. In other species, a positive correlation of F to Al and total phenols, and a negative correlation to Ca has been reported, while in the present paper a positive correlation of F to Al, Ca and Fe, but not with total phenols was found in B. crassifolia. The presence of metal-fluorine compounds that can be released during medicinal infusions has not been previously reported in this species. Washing the leaves with water showed that a high proportion of F and minerals was present on the surface of the leaf and/or the trichomes.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
ASOCIACIÓN INTERCIENCIA
2004
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| Online Access: | http://ve.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0378-18442004000300008 |
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