QUANTIFICATION OF MINERAL ELEMENTS IN HARDWICKIA BINATA ROXB.-AN ENDEMIC PLANT

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the mineral composition of Hardwickia binata Roxb. Methods: Shade-dried powdered leaves, seed, and husk of H. binata were used for mineral analysis. Mineral analysis was carried out by acid digestion method. Potassium, calcium, and sodium were determined using a flame photometer (Thermofisher-FP114), whereas magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, and copper were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Thermofisher-AA203). Remaining elements namely phosphorus, sulfur, and boron were estimated by ultraviolet spectrophotometer and nitrogen by Kjeldahl’s apparatus. Results: The total number of 13 mineral elements was found in H. binata. In case of values obtained from macroelements, magnesium content was found highest in leaves (51.05%), followed by husk (20.59%) and in seed (10.70%), whereas nitrate content was found lowest in seed (172.33 ppm), followed by leaves (158.17 ppm) and in husk (83.73 ppm). In case of microelements, iron was found maximum in husk (1246.48 ppm), followed by leaves (712.63 ppm) and in seed (157.39 ppm), whereas copper was found minimum in husk (5.73 ppm), followed by seed (4.92 ppm) and in leaves (4.68 ppm). Conclusion: The present investigation of H. binata revealed promising source of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. These elements may serve as nutritional supplement and could be beneficial to the human health as well as livestock to treat against deficiency disorders.


INTRODUCTION
In plants, primary and secondary metabolites play a vital role in plant growth and development [1]. Phytonutrients are valuable for our body health [2]. The determination of minerals in medicinal plants is potentially useful in nutritional supplement and herbal drug system [3,4]. Human body requires organic and inorganic elements for their proper functioning [5,6].
A monotypic genus Hardwickia binata belongs to family Caesalpiniaceae [7]. It is medicinal plant and comes under the endemic biodiversity category [8]. It is multipurpose tree species useful for agroforestry in dryland areas [9]. The tannins from bark of this species are used in medicines for the treatment of diarrhea, worms, indigestion, leprosy, and appetizer [10]. The leaf extracts of H. binata showed activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Bioactive substances showed antimicrobial agents including gonorrhea, pneumonia, eye, and mycotic infections [11]. The balsam combined with cubebs and sandal is used for sexually transmitted diseases, leukorrhea, chronic cystitis, and gonorrhea [12]. Leaves are used as cattle fodder and root bark extracts reported anticancer property in H. binata. [13]. Hence, the present study was undertaken to work out mineral analysis of H. binata.

Collection, authentication, and preparation of plant material
Plant material of H. binata was collected from different areas of Maharashtra namely Sangli, Dhule, and Jalgaon districts. The plant material was identified and deposited with voucher specimen (DSV 001) in the Herbarium of Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. The collected materials were shade dried, powdered in a mixer grinder, sieved, and used for analysis.

Mineral analysis
The mineral analysis was worked out by acid digestion method [14]. Potassium, calcium, and sodium were determined using a flame photometer (Thermofisher-FP114), whereas magnesium, zinc, ferrous, manganese, and copper were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Thermofisher-AA203). Remaining elements namely phosphorus, sulfur, and boron were estimated by ultraviolet spectrophotometer, whereas nitrogen by Kjeldahl's apparatus.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The macro and micro elements in leaves, seed and husk of H. binata were estimated and depicted in Table 1. Nitrogen, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and sodium were found to be macroelements while zinc, iron, manganese, copper and boron were microelements.
About all the mineral nutrients, nitrogen is so vital because it is a major component of chlorophyll and amino acids. The nitrogen content was found highest in husk (1.12%), followed by seed (0.92%) and in leaves (0.84%). Nitrate serves as an essential plant nutrient helping with tissue development and building the immune system. The concentration of nitrate was observed highest in seed (172.33 ppm), followed by leaves (158.17 ppm) and in husk (83.73 ppm) of H. binata.
Phosphorus is important in the formation of bones and teeth as a cofactor for enzymes [1]. The phosphorus content was determined maximum in leaves (0.035%), followed by husk (0.034%) and in seed (0.022%) of H. binata.
Potassium is important as diuretic, and it takes part in ionic balance of the human body and maintains tissue excitability [6]. It is activator of some enzymes [15]. Previous results of H. binata revealed that the Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 13, Issue 2, 2020, 44-46 Deshmukh and Ghanawat leaves were rich in calcium and potassium [7]. In the present study, the concentration of potassium was observed maximum in husk (0.095%), followed by seed (0.044%) and in leaves (0.021%) of H. binata.
The maximum amount of calcium was found in leaves (4.42%), followed by husk (2.99%) and in seed (0.17%) of H. binata. Calcium is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in neuromuscular function and blood clotting, and it gives rigidity to the skeleton and helps to maintain metabolism of the human body [6,16]. Excess quantity of calcium ions in the extracellular fluids acts as a mental depressant, and extreme low level of calcium causes spontaneous discharge of nerve fibers, resulting in tetany [6].
In H. binata, the highest level of magnesium was observed in leaves (51.05%), followed by husk (20.59%) and in seed (10.17%). Magnesium acts as a cofactor for many enzymes involved in energy metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and maintenance of electrical potential of nervous tissues and cell membrane [6,16]. Increased extracellular concentration of magnesium depresses skeletal muscle contraction, and low level causes increased irritability of the nervous system, peripheral vasodilation, and cardiac arrhythmias [6].
Sulfur is necessary for proper growth and development of living organisms [17]. The concentration of sulfur was estimated highest in husk (0.91%), followed by leaves (0.71%) and in seed (0.32%) of H. binata.
Sodium is essential for the regulation of osmotic pressure of the body and helps to maintain acid-base and water balance of the body. The deficiency of it causes loss of body weight and nerve disorders [18]. Sodium and potassium take part in ionic balance of the human body and maintain tissue excitability because of solubility of salts; Sodium plays an important role in the transport of metabolites. Potassium is of importance as a diuretic [19]. The amount of sodium was estimated maximum in seed (2.03%), followed by husk (1.98%) and in leaves (1.66%) of H. binata.
Trace elements content in medicinal plants is very important because some of them play important roles in the formation of active constituents responsible for the remedial properties [20]. Zinc is present in all body tissues and fluids. It is required for a healthy immune system and takes part in the synthesis and degradation of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acid [16]. The concentration of zinc was observed highest in leaves (41.59 ppm), followed by husk (22.52 ppm) and in seed (14.78%) of H. binata.
In micronutrient analysis of H. binata, iron content was found highest in husk (1246.48 ppm), followed by leaves (712.63 ppm) and in seed (157.39 ppm). The maximum amount of iron in H. binata indicates that plant may have high medicinal potential properties against iron deficiency diseases. Iron is a carrier of oxygen from the lungs to tissue by red blood cells, hemoglobin, development of healthy brain, and immune system [16]. Iron deficiency causes anemia [6]. It is important factor in diabetes [18]. The highest percentage of iron and copper content was noticed in the seeds of Bauhinia purpurea [21].
Manganese performs various important functions in humans such as the formation of hemoglobin, growth, and sexual maturation facilitating iron intake and as a cofactor for enzymes. [1]. Previous results revealed that the highest percentage of zinc, lead, and manganese in seeds of H. binata, whereas copper was not detected [21]. In the present investigation, the concentration of manganese was estimated maximum in husk (238.14 ppm), followed by leaves (19.53 ppm) and in seed (9.58 ppm) of H. binata.
Copper is an essential trace element and plays a very important role in all living organisms and affects enzyme activity as a cofactor [22]. In H. binata, the amount of copper was found highest in husk (5.73 ppm), followed by seed (4.92 ppm) and in leaves (4.68 ppm).
Boron is non-metal, essential micronutrient. It is responsible for cell wall formation, stabilization, lignifications, and xylem differentiation also essential for cell division and protein synthesis [23]. The concentration of boron was observed maximum in leaves (26.16 ppm), followed by husk (23.36 ppm) and in seed (11.87 ppm) in H. binata.
Overall mineral analysis indicates that in case of macroelements, magnesium content was found highest in leaves (51.05%), followed by husk (20.59%) and in seed (10.70%), whereas nitrate content was found lowest in seed (172.33 ppm), followed by leaves (158.17 ppm) and in husk (83.73 ppm). In case of microelements, iron was observed maximum in husk (1246.48 ppm), followed by leaves (712.63 ppm) and in seed (157.39 ppm), whereas copper content was observed minimum in husk (5.73 ppm), followed by seed (4.92 ppm) and in leaves (4.68 ppm).

CONCLUSION
The present investigation of H. binata revealed promising source of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. These elements may serve as nutritional supplement and could be beneficial to the health of human as well as livestock to treat against deficiency disorders.