X-ray flourescence (XRF) elemental composition of <i>Ocimum basilicim (Ob)</i>

Abstract

Ocimum basilicum (Ob) was subjected to elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and the results revealed the following concentrations of the elements : sulphur (2.976 mg/kg), potassium (73.360 mg/ kg), calcium (19.617 mg/kg), scandium (0.132mg/kg), titanium (0.150 mg/kg), iron (0.577 mg/mg), zinc (0.034 mg/kg), rubidium (0.038 mg/kg), strontium (0.084mg/kg), zireonium ((0.021mg/kg), molybdenum (0.005 mg/kg), and thorium (0.005) respectively. All elements analysed above were within the permissible limit set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).Vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, selenium, palladium, silver, cadmium, tin, antimony, tellurium, caesium, barium, tungsten, gold, mercury, lead and  uranium were not detected in the sample .

Key words: Ocimum basilicum (Ob), elements, X-ray fluorescence (XRF).