Assessment of essential trace elements in selected food grains, herbal spices and seeds commonly used in Kenya

Trace elements are essential in preserving good health and body immunity to diseases. The study was undertaken to determine the levels of chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) in herbal spices, food grains and edible seeds commonly used in Kenya. The levels of elements were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The herbal spices, food grains and seeds considered in this study included coriander (Coriandrum sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinalis), garlic (Allium sativum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), lemon grass (cymbogon citratus) rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), wheat (Triticum cestivum L.), brown rice (Oryza sativa), finger millet (Elusine coracana), bulrush millet ((Pennisetem glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sunflower seeds (Helianthus anuus), watermelon seeds (Citrullus lanatus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds. The results indicated that lemon grass had the highest V levels (14.40 plus or minus 1.20 mg/kg) followed by ginger at (14.38 plus or minus 0.31 mg/kg) while coriander seeds had the highest Cr levels (13.00 plus or minus 0.42 mg/kg), followed by lemon grass (12.80 plus or minus 1.47 mg/kg). Bulrush millet had the highest Se levels (198.38 plus or minus 3.75 mu g/k) followed by sorghum (151.20 plus or minus 12.8 mu g/kg). Pumpkin seeds had the highest level of Zn (53.54 plus or minus 1.44 mg/kg) followed by watermelon seeds at 41.00 plus or minus 5.79 mg/kg. The food grains, seeds and herbal spices could provide the body with the required daily intake. Consumption of mixed diet could therefore provide the body with essential trace elements that could boost the body immunity especially to those people with compromised health.