Tetraena qatarense is salt-tolerant, low shrub with high ability to store water. It usually grows on rough sandy and stony ground such as salt marshes and is widespread all over Qatar. The aim of this research is to assess the ionic content and nutrients in Tetraena qatarense plant extracts. Plant samples were collected from various locations at Qatar University campus over different month periods and separated into leaves, stem and root. The plant samples were dried for 24 hours at 60 °C and then grinded to a powder like consistency. Extracts of Tetraena qatarense were analyzed using two methods, ICP & IC. For ICP-OES, the plant samples were digested with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide at increasing temperature from 105 -135° C, then diluted with deionized water. While for Ion Chromatography, plant samples were ashed at 550° C overnight and then extracted with 0.005 M acetic acid at 32° C. The ICP-OES results indicated substantial concentrations of calcium in the plant leaves (36511.71 mg/L), iron concentrations were mainly detected in leaves and stem (786.42 mg/L) with lower iron concentrations in roots (88.83 mg/L) and Aluminum was present in plant leaves and stem (656.01 mg/L) and significantly lower concentrations in roots (68.85 mg/L). Manganese and Zinc showed moderate concentrations (60.61 mg/L and 66.50 mg/L). Other elements displayed limited concentrations such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and As. On the other hand, IC results for plant leaves and stem showed significant concentrations of sulfate (102.055 mg/L), magnesium (27.904 mg/L), chloride (17.822 mg/L) and sodium (15.710 mg/L). However, the roots showed drastic differences with lower concentrations of sulfate (3.521 mg/L) and the most dominant ions were chloride (5.363 mg/L) and sodium (5.372 mg/L).

Assessment of ionic content and nutrients in the plant extracts of Tetraena qatarense (Zygophyllum qatarense) by ICP-OES and ion chromatography

2019 Spring National Meeting

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