Atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopic method for determination of micronutrients and toxic metals in Curcuma longa L. to characterize human health toxicity

Environment-friendly procedures for determination of nutritious and harmful elements in curcuma longa L. and commercially available turmeric powder are presented. Microwave and ultrasound (probe and bath) procedures for sample preparations were adopted and the elements were determined by validated flame atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Student’s t-test was established whether there was a difference between the sample preparation methods. Trueness of certified values by all methods was ensured which were not differing significantly at 95% level of confidence interval. % recovery and relative standard deviation are in compliance with Food and Drug Administration-USA guidelines for spectrometric determination of elemental composition in food stuffs. Results showed that concentrations of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc found in both types of samples are promising source of nutrition. Exposure to aluminum, cadmium, and lead from consumption of products under investigation was estimated and few sample contents were higher than permissible level suggested by Food and Agriculture Organization-UN. Regarding the food safety monitoring, the proposed methods are rapid and met green chemistry approach can be implemented in laboratories easily for routine analysis.