International Science Community Association Research Journal of Forensic Sciences 14 2 2026 07 29 Comparative study of Heavy Metals contamination in different Commercial Shilajit Variants: An analytical approach 22 26 EN Karthik G.I. Vaishnav 1 Department of Criminology & Forensic Science, Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, India K. Dinsha 2 Department of Forensic Science, M E S Kalladi College, Mannarkadu, Palakkad, Kerala, India R. Dhanya 3 Department of Criminology & Forensic Science, Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, India Kulkani Sudhanva G. 4 Department of Criminology & Forensic Science, Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, India S.S. Nidhin 5 Department of Criminology & Forensic Science, Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, India Bose Surajit 1 Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Shetty Rakshith 2 Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Bhattachrya Maumita 3 Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Sen Subhalakshmi 4 Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Chattopadhyay Jayanta 5 Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Ghosh Bitan 6 Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Rahangdale Labhini 1 Schiio of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Division of Forensic Science, DY Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune, Maharashtra-411044, India Dharmalingam Lokashree 2 Division of Forensic Science, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641114, India Mishra Manish Kumar 1 Department of Forensic Science, JAIN (deemed-to-be-University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Y. Kavya 2 Department of Forensic Science, JAIN (deemed-to-be-University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Lavanya T. 1 Department of Forensic Science, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India M.K. Mishra 2 Department of Forensic Science, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India > Research Paper 2026 4 10 2026 07 29 Shilajit is a widely used phyto-mineral substance in traditional medicine; however, concerns regarding heavy metal contamination have raised questions about its safety. The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) in commercially available Shilajit samples using qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques. Four different Shilajit samples were subjected to dry ashing followed by extraction using 4N hydrochloric acid. Qualitative analysis was performed using standard chemical tests, while quantitative determination was carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicated that cadmium was below the detectable limit (<0.1 ppm) in all analysed samples. In contrast, nickel was detected in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.63 ppm to 1.07 ppm. Although the detected levels were generally within permissible limits, slight variation among samples was observed. The presence of nickel across all samples and variability in its concentration suggest possible influence of environmental factors, geographical origin, and processing techniques. While the immediate risk may be low, the potential for bioaccumulation and long-term exposure cannot be overlooked. The findings highlight the need for strict quality control, standardisation, and regular monitoring of Shilajit products to ensure consumer safety. Copyright@ International Science Community Association