HUANG Xiaolan, HE Xufeng, ZHOU Xiangde, GUO Dongqin, ZHANG Chunyi, ZHAO Shunxin, GU Wenchao, ZHOU Nong
Twenty-two nutrient, inorganic, and heavy metal elements in Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus Regel from different habitats were determined and used to evaluate its quality and safety. The elements, including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ba, Ni, B, Cr, Mo, Pb, Co, Se, Cd, As, and Hg, were quantitatively determined using Kjeldahl method, hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The data was analyzed by using SPSS 20 statistical analysis software through correlation, principal component, and habitat cluster analyses. The results showed that L. lucidus var. hirtus Regel from different habitats shared the same elements, but the contents were difference. Specifically, N and P contents were relatively high. Among inorganic elements, the average contents of K (21.98 mg/g), Ca (1.81 mg/g), and Mg (1.24 mg/g) were much higher than those of the other elements. Moreover, for heavy metals, Cu content was generally high, followed by Pb and As. The Cu and total heavy metal contents in the samples exceeded the standard limits, except for S2 (Dali, Yunnan), S3 (Tengchong, Yunnan) and S5 (Yulin, Guangxi). The southern and northern habitats formed into one cluster which indicate that the difference in elemental content in L. lucidus var. hirtus Regel relates closely to certain habitats and regional characteristics. The principal component comprehensive scores showed that the quality of sample S5 (Yulin, Guangxi) was superior compared to other samples. This study established an accurate method for the analysis and evaluation of certain elements in L. lucidus var. hirtus Regel from different habitats and provided a scientific basis for the cultivation, introduction, quality control, safety evaluation, origin discriminant, development and utilization of L. lucidus var. hirtus Regel.
