Open AccessLithium biofortification of medicinal tea Apocynum venetum
Author(s) -
Li Jiang,
Lei Wang,
Mohsin Tanveer,
Tian Chen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-019-44623-3
Subject(s) - biofortification , hyperoside , rutin , chemistry , lithium (medication) , antioxidant capacity , antioxidant , food science , micronutrient , traditional medicine , biology , medicine , biochemistry , organic chemistry , endocrinology
Lithium (Li) could be much safer and successful approach to supply Li via Li-fortified food products. This study is highlighting the potential scope of Li supply via Li-biofortification of Luobuma tea (made from Apocynum venetum leaves), which is a very popular beverage in Asia with several medical properties. We explored the possibility of A. venetum as Li-enriched tea and investigated plant growth, Li accumulation, total flavonoids (TFs), rutin and hyperoside concentrations, and the antioxidant capacity of A. venetum . With the increase of additional Li, Li concentration in roots, stems and leaves increased gradually. Compared with the control treatment, 10–15 mg kg −1 Li addition stimulated the growth of A. venetum and 25 mg kg −1 Li addition significantly increased the Li concentration in leaves by 80 mg kg −1 . Li application did not decrease TFs, rutin, hyperoside and antioxidant capacity of this medicinal herb. A daily consumption of 10 g Li-biofortified A. venetum leaves (cultivated with 25 mg kg −1 LiCl) can give 592 μg Li intake and would constitute 59% of the provisional recommended dietary daily intake of Li. Our results showed that Li-biofortified A. venetum leaves can be used as Li-fortified tea to enhance Li supply and to improve human health when it was used as daily drink.