Determination of Pb, Cu and Mn in Some Traditional Chinese Medicines by Microwave-Assisted Extraction Followed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Three mineral and trace elements (Pb, Cu and Mn) were determined in the herbs such as Astragalus, Lycium and Schisandr. Microwave digestion procedure was applied under optimized conditions for dissolution of medicinal herbs. Element concentrations in the medicinal herbs were determined by flame atomization atomic absorption spectrometry. The accuracy and precision were studied. The mineral and trace element content of medicinal herbs showed a wide variability.