FAAS Determination of 10 Elements in 4 Traditional Chinese Medicines Titled Generally as the “4 Huai Yao′s”

Trace elements, including Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr and Pb, macroelements including K and Ca in the 4 TCM′s (i.e., the common yam rhizome, Rehmannia glutinosa, Chrysanthenum and Achyranthes bidentata ) were determined by FAAS. Determinations of the 10 elements were made in sample solutions prepared by decoction with water and by direct digestion of each of the medicines with HNO3-HClO4(4+1) mixed acid, and more complete extraction of the elements was attained by the latter method. Linear relationships between values of absorbance and mass concentration of the elements were obtained in definite ranges under the optimum analytical conditions. Recovery and precision were tested, giving values of recovery ranged from 97.0% to 105.0%, and RSD′s (n=5) less than 5%.