Optimization and Application of Potentiometric Stripping Analysis for Determination of Heavy Metals in the samples of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot

• Published in: International journal of electrochemical science Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 1840 - 1852
• Main Authors: Kaličanin, Biljana, Pavlović, Aleksandra, Velimirović, Dragan, Arsić, Ivana, Đorđević, Sofija, Tadić, Vanja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Aronia; Heavy metals; ICP-OES; Medicinal plants; PSA; Medicinal plants; Aronia; Heavy metals; ICP-OES; PSA
• ISSN: 1452-3981; 1452-3981
• DOI: 10.20964/2020.02.64

Lately, in the group of medicinal herbs, a significant place in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases is taken by Aronia, black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot, Rosaceae. Aronia is a rich source of phenolic substances, mainly flavonoids from the anthocyanin subclass which are responsible for its high antioxidant activity. In addition to the above mentioned compounds, in this plant species heavy metals such as lead and cadmium can be found in the extraction. The aim of this paper was to determine the content of Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb in samples of fresh Aronia berries, in the juice obtained by cold washing of fresh berries, as well as in the plant material that is left behind after squashing. To determine the content of these metals in these samples, the potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) with oxygen as an oxidant was used. Zinc and copper biometals were detected in the tested samples of Aronia (berry, juice and the rest of the Aronia berry after squeezing). The content of Zn determined ranged within the limits prescribed for this biometal, while in the tested samples the content of Cu was higher than those prescribed as recommended daily doses. In the tested Aronia samples, heavy toxic metals, lead and cadmium were also detected. The contents of these metals were low, and significantly below the content that could have harmful and toxic effects on human health. All results were confirmed by parallel ICP-OES comparative analysis. The low values for the average relative deviation (δ) indicate that there is a good agreement between the results for the content of all detected metals (Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu) obtained using the PSA technique with oxygen as an oxidant, and the ICP-OES technique.