[Determination of metals in Ginkgo biloba leaves by atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave digestion].

Microwave digestion technique was used in the decomposition of Ginkgo biloba leaves from six different trees at the same age in the same area. HNO3-H2O2 (5 : 1 v/v) was used as microwave digestion agent at a suitable temperature and time. The contents of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Zn and Zn/Cu were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry to study the distribution rule of metallic elements in the trees at the same age and in the same area. The recovery ratio ranged from 95.2% to 104.6%. The results showed that there were certain differences between different trees in the distribution of metallic elements. The contents of calcium were from 39 586 to 48 320 microg x g(-1), and those of magnesium from 10 076 to 12 918 microg x g(-1), of potassium from 2 004 to 5 240 microg x g(-1), of sodium from 9.05 to 35.30 microg x g(-1), and of copper from 1.50 to 3.05 microg x g(-1), while Zn/Cu values were from 2.68 to 5.93 in the leaves of 6 different trees in the same growing area. Therefore there were abounding calcium, magnesium and potassium, while the content of sodium and Zn/Cu values were lower, and the metal contents were different in the leaves. The experimental results provided useful bases for studying the distribution rule of metallic elements in Ginkgo biloba leaves, the relationship between the contents of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium and the Zn/Cu value in ginkgo biloba leaves and the treatment for cardio-cerebral vascular disease.