Element content analysis of plants of genus Ficus using atomic absorption spectrometer

Ficus species have wide distribution and uses worldwide traditionally as medicine, vegetable, food, fodder and fuel wood etc. The flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for the estimation, conducted on four plant parts (leaves, bark, aerial roots and fruits) of 12 samples of eight medicinally important species of Ficus and nine samples of wild edible fruits of genus Ficus, collected from different locations within Pakistan. The results of the present study provide justification for the usage of these fruits in daily diet for nutrition as well as for medicinal usage and medicinal plants in the treatment of different diseases. The metal contents in the samples were found at different levels which play a vital role in cure of diseases. Toxic elements Cd and Pb were also found but at very low concentration. These results can give the importance about the wild edible fruits and used to set new standards for prescribing the dosage of the herbal drugs prepared from these plant materials in herbal remedies and in pharmaceutical companies.   Key words: Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), drugs, elements, Ficus, fruits, medicinal.