Elemental Analysis On Pterocarpus Mildbreadii (OHA) Seed
Conducting elemental analysis on Pterocarpus mildbreadii (OHA) seed involves a comprehensive examination of its chemical composition to discern the presence and concentration of various elements. This process is vital for understanding the seed’s nutritional profile, environmental interactions, and potential applications in fields such as agriculture, pharmacology, and ecology. By employing techniques like atomic absorption spectroscopy or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, scientists can meticulously quantify elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese within the seed. Such analysis not only sheds light on the seed’s intrinsic properties but also informs on its ecological roles, nutritional value, and potential pharmacological significance, contributing to broader research on sustainable resource utilization and biodiversity conservation.
Elemental analysis is the qualitative detection and quantitative determination of
chemical elements(atoms,ions)in a sample(Fritz Pregl 1923). To detect an
ix
element, one should fix an appearance of an analytical signal. The formation of
precipitate or characteristic crystals, colour change, an isolation of gaseous
products, an appearance of a definite lines in spectrum, luminescence, etc. To
determine elements quantity, it is necessary to measure a value of an analytical
signal; a precipitate mass, intensity of a current, solution absorption, spectrum line,
luminescence or radioactivity, a reaction rate and so on.(www.intechopen.com).
This study was undertaken to analse the elements present in grounded Pterocarpus
mildbreadii (Oha seed) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer(AAS MODEL-
AA320N).The seed was found to contain these essential macro minerals/elements
sodium(Na),Potassium(K),calcium(Ca),magnesium(Mg),and the trace elements
iron(Fe),copper(Cu),zinc(Zn), and selenium(Se)(Duffus,2002).
The study established that Pterocarpus mildbreadii(oha seed) does not contain
manganese and has high content of potassium which is necessary for good health
Title page
Approval Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION, AIMS & OBJECTIVES
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Aim of study 4
1.3 Research objective 4
CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Elemental analysis 5
2.2 Trace elements as catalysts 25
2.3 Biological functions of metals,sources and deficiency 26
2.4 Pterocarpus mildbreadii:A case study for elemental analysis 30
2.4.1 Systematic position of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 31
2.4.2 General characteristics of Leguminosae 32
2.4.3 Geographical distribution of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 33
2.4.4 Properties of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 34
2.4.5 Botany of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 34
2.4.6 Ecology of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 35
2.4.7 Management and propagation of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 35
2.4.8 Prospects of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 35
2.4.9 Uses of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 36
CHAPTER THREE:
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials 37
3.1.1 Equipment/apparatus 37
3.1.2 Chemicals/reagents used 38
3.2 Methodology 38
3.2.1 The study area 38
3.2.2 Collection and preparation of plant material 39
3.2.3 Extraction 39
3.2.4 Preparation of reagent for AAS 39
3.3 Elemental analysis 39
3.4 Atomic Absorption Spectrometry 40
CHAPTER FOUR:
RESULTS
4.0 Elemental content of Pterocarpus mildbreadii 45
CHAPTER FIVE:
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION 50
REFERENCES 51
INTRODUCTION, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
A seed or mature ovule is a miniature plant with a protective cover in a
suspended state of development. Most seeds contain a built-in food supply called
endosperm, orchid is an exception. The endosperm can be made up of proteins,
carbohydrates and fats.
Seed can also be defined as a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called
the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule
of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some
growth within the mother plant(Wikipedia).Seed protects a plant embryo so that it
can grow into a new plant. Many seeds are edible, such as sunflower seeds, tomato
seeds, corn and peas.
Seeds contain three distinct structures. The inside of a seed contains an embryo,
which is a baby plant with a shoot and a tiny root. The two halves of a seed are
stored food that provides the nourishment necessary for seeds to germinate, or
begin growing. Surrounding the seed is a hard, tough seed coat, which protects the
seed during dormancy(Anville 2007).
Most seeds contain a built-in food supply called endosperm. The endosperm can
be made up of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Seeds also contain anti-nutrients in
their seed coat. These anti-nutrients includes phytin, lectin, trypsin inhibitor
activity, tannin and cyanide. In addition, they also contain minerals such as
sodium, potassium,calcium,magnesium,phosphorus,zinc,manganese,iron,selenium
and copper.(Balogun 2000)
Oilseeds are energy dense foods; for example, sesame seeds provide 600kcal or
2470kj/1000g.Although oilseeds contain protein(|14-32g/100g)and
carbohydrate(ranging from less than 1g/100g to more than 34g/100g),most of the
food energy they provide is as fat(which provides 9kcal or 37kj/g).Oilseeds vary
widely in their fatty acid composition but tend to be rich in MUFA(e.g peanut)r
PUFA(e.g sunflower seeds).Some seed oils contain significant amounts of EFA,
ALNA, an n-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid(LA),an n-6 fatty acid. from these two
fatty acids, the body can make all the fatty acids it needs. From LA, arachidonic
acid can be produced, and from ALNA the long chain n-3 eicosapentaenoic
acid(EPA)and docosahexanoic acid(DHA)can be made.(BNF 1999).
Generally, whole oilseeds are a source of fibre, phosphorus, iron and magnesium;
many oilseeds are a source of vitamin E(an antioxidant),niacin and folate. Whole
oilseeds also contain phytoestrogens, a group of substances including lignans and
isoflavones. Phytoestrogens have a structure similar to the oestrogen hormone
oestradiol and can bind to oestrogen receptors.Phytoestrogens may provide a
protective effect against coronary heart disease as they have been shown to have a
lowering effect on blood cholesterol.Additionally,some phytoestrogens may have
antioxidant properties(Goldberg 2003).
In Britain, oilseeds are usually consumed, following processing,as oils and
margarines. The fatty acid composition of oils produced from oilseeds varies
widely. Vegetable oils do not contain the same levels of macronutrients, vitamins
and minerals as whole oilseeds. In fact, apart from fat itself, vitamin E is the only
nutrient present in appreciable amounts. Vegetable oils do, however, contain a
range of phytochemicals, e.g they are the main source of natural plant sterols in
the diet. Plant sterols have a structure similar to cholesterol and hence reduce
cholesterol absorption, therefore reducing the circulating levels of total and low
density lipoprotein(LDL)cholesterol. Plant sterols can be present as free or
esterified forms and the proportions vary, e.g free sterols dominate in
soybean,olive and sunflower oil,while in rapeseed and corn oil, free sterols account
for only 30% of the plant sterols.Refining vegetable oils decreases the content of
sterols(from 10-70% depending on the oil and processing conditions used),thus
decreasing their potential to lower serum cholesterol(Goldberg 2003).
1.2 AIM OF STUDY
To determine the elements present in grinded oha seed(Pterocarpus
mildbreadii)
1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE;
This study was primarily designed to use grinded oha seed(Pterocarpus
mildbreadii) extract for elemental analysis.
Elemental Analysis On Pterocarpus Mildbreadii (OHA) Seed:
Elemental analysis involves determining the relative quantities of different elements present in a sample. Pterocarpus mildbreadii, also known as Oha, is a tree native to West Africa, particularly Nigeria, and its seeds are used for various purposes, including traditional medicine and as a food source. Elemental analysis can provide insights into the nutritional and chemical composition of these seeds. However, I don’t have access to real-time data, so I can’t provide you with specific results for the elemental composition of Pterocarpus mildbreadii seeds.
To conduct an elemental analysis on Pterocarpus mildbreadii seeds, you would typically follow these steps:
- Sample Preparation: Collect a representative sample of the seeds. The sample should be cleaned and dried to ensure accurate results.
- Instrumentation: Perform the elemental analysis using techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). These techniques can accurately measure the concentrations of various elements in the sample.
- Calibration: Calibrate the instrument using standard reference materials with known elemental compositions. This calibration step ensures that the instrument provides accurate and reliable results.
- Analysis: Run the sample through the instrument and measure the concentrations of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and a range of metals and trace elements.
- Data Interpretation: Analyze the obtained data to determine the elemental composition of the Pterocarpus mildbreadii seeds. Compare the results to known values for similar types of seeds or biological materials to draw conclusions about the nutritional and chemical characteristics of the seeds.
- Reporting: Present the results in a clear and organized manner, including a list of the detected elements and their respective concentrations in the seeds.
It’s important to note that the elemental composition of seeds can vary based on factors such as soil composition, climate, and growing conditions. Therefore, results may differ between different regions or batches of seeds.
If you are interested in the specific elemental composition of Pterocarpus mildbreadii seeds, I recommend reaching out to research institutions, laboratories, or experts in the field who might have conducted such analyses or have access to the relevant data.