Abstract
We determined contents of many trace elements in much harsh edible plants (field horsetails, burdocks, brackens, spinach, Japanese parsley and mugwort) and little harsh edible plants (Daikons, Chinese cabbage, cabbage and carrots) by means of an instrumental neutron activation analysis in order to compare contents of trace elements of the much harsh edible plants with that of the little harsh edible plants. After the samples (about 100-500 mg) of freeze-dried edible plants were irradiated by the Musashi Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITRR), the each samples was carried out γ-ray spectrometry under four counting conditions. As the results, about 50 elements were determined. Especially, contents of Al, Mg, Mn, K, Co, Cr, Fe and Te in much harsh edible plants were higher than that in little harsh plants. Furthermore, each of much harsh edible plants (3 or 5 g) was extracted with water (300 or 500 ml) for 1 hr at 25 or 100 °C. In both conditions, commonly, Cr, Ni, Co, Br and Rb were soluble whereas V, Mn, Fe, Zn, As, Mo, Al, Sr, Cd, Ba, Au and Hg were remained in residues.
