Romanian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

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RADIONUCLIDES CONTENT IN SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS COMMONLY USED IN ROMANIA

ELISABETA OPREA1, VIOLETA PINTILIE2, VASILICA BUFNEA3, ANA CLARA APROTOSOAIE1*, OANA CIOANCĂ1, ADRIANA TRIFAN1, MONICA HĂNCIANU1

1.University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T.Popa Iasi, Faculty of Farmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, 16 University Street, Iasi, Romania
2.Ionizing Radiation Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Public Health Galati, 2 Rosiori Street, Galati, Romania
3.Diagnostic Laboratory Investigation and Public Health-Toxicology and Industrial Health, Department of Public Health Surveillance, 19 Traian Street, Galati, Romania

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The aim of this work was the evaluation of the radioactive contamination level in some medicinal plants commonly used in Romania, available as herbal teas. The selected plant species were: Tilia cordata, Matricaria chamomilla, Calendula officinalis, Ocimum basilicaum, Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum. The investigation of radioactive contamination was achieved by assessing global alpha and beta activity, and by determining the activity of natural 210Po, 210Pb, 232 Th, 238U radionuclides, and artificial 137Cs, 90Sr radionuclides. The values of artificial 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides were below the detection limit (60 mBq/kg). The maximum levels of natural radionuclides were recorded as follows: 210Po and 238U in Ocimum basilicum and Achillea millefolium (8 mBq/kg and 40 mBq/kg, respectively), 210Pb in Matricaria chamomilla, Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum (30 mBq/kg) and 232Th in Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum (60 mBq/kg). The values detected for the investigated radionuclides were lower than EU maximum limits or those reported in literature. Achillea millefolium showed the strongest tendency to accumulate natural 210Pb, 210Po, 232Th and 238U radionuclides.