US EPA

4843790 

Journal Article 

Distribution of Trace Elements in Biological Material 

Sundara Rao, AL 

1940 

Yes 

Journal of the Indian Chemical Society
ISSN: 0019-4522 

17 

The distribution of trace elements manganese (7439965) (Mn), zinc (7440666) (Zn), and molybdenum (7439987) (Mo) was examined in representative cereals, pulses, and leafy vegetables. Samples were washed, spread in thin layers to dry, cut into small pieces, dried, ground, bottled and ignited in a platinum crucible over a Bunsen flame. Spectra were photographed with a Hilger spectrograph, and arc spectra were excited with silver and graphite electrodes. Rice, wheat, Bengal gram, black gram, peas, amaranth, spinach, and cabbage were tested. Mn present ranged from 11.8 milligrams (mg) in cabbage to 82.3mg in spinach; Zn present ranged from 2.0mg in rice to 62.3mg in spinach; Mo present ranged from 0.1mg in rice to 9.4mg in peas. The author notes that there is a continuous increase in the proportion of sodium and alkaline earth metals and iron, progressing from cereals to pulses and leafy vegetables. Trace elements are present in appreciable amounts and may play definite and specific roles in human and animal nutrition.