Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 101 Activity Distribution and Uptake of Radionuclides in Medicinal Plants of Coastal Karnataka, India ChandrashekaraK, Karunakara N and Somashekarappa H M.2*Department of Physics, St. Philomena College, Puttur -574202, Karnataka, INDIA University Science and Instrumentation Centre (USIC), Mangalore University, Mngalagangotri-574 199, Karnataka, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 26th November 2014, revised 12th January 2015, accepted 17th January 2015 AbstractPrimordial Use of medicinal plants as therapeutic agents is an age-old practice. The detailed studies on the concentration of radionuclides in medicinal plants are sparse. The medicinal plants Justica adhatoda L., Careya arborea Roxb., Mimosa pudica L., Azadirachta indica A Jus. and Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.)Spreng. are selected in the present study. These plants and soil samples from same location were analysed for activity concentrations of 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs using gamma spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th and 40K in plant samples vary in the range of BDL to 9.59 BqKg, 9.07 to 320.34BqKg-1, BDL to 6.40 BqKg-1 and 443.50 to 3401.29 BqKg-1 respectively. The concentration of 137Cs was found to be BDL for all the plant samples. Soil samples were analysed for the above listed radionuclides and the soil to plant transfer factors were also estimated. The transfer factors found to vary from BDL to 0.17 for 226Ra, 0.12 to 3.73 for 210Pb, BDL to 0.068 for 232Th and 2.94 to 28.66 for 40K. The detailed results and discussions are presented in this paper. Keywords: Medicinal plants, therapeutic agents, radionuclides, plant uptake, transfer factors. Introduction Ayurveda is one of the most important methods of therapy used in almost all parts of the world. Many dynasties across the world have played significant role in the development of this method of treating the diseases. Use of medicinal plants as therapeutic agents is an age-old practice. The nature around us is diverse and it is treasure house of variety of biodiversity including plants used in treating for some ailments in human beings and animals. The popularity and use of medicinal plants as alternate medicines is significantly high in this region. Several documents are available listing the plants for their medicinal values in literature. Several studies in different regions have been made to know the basic contents of the plants2,3. West coast regions of Karnataka are known for using traditional and folklore medicine in which medicinal plants are used as main ingredients. The detailed studies on radionuclides in these plants are sparse in this geographical area. The developmental activities, industrialisation and associated technological endeavours have resulted in increased encroachment and pollution of nature. In addition to the naturally occurring radionuclides, essential and heavy elements; artificially produced and technologically enhanced concentrations of these elements also will be taking place due to activities listed above. All these activities cause contamination of radionuclides, toxic elements and other polluting agents on vegetation . S tudies on transfer of natural radionuclides from soil-to-plant have been carried out in various regions world over to understand the nature of absorption and accumulation of radioactive and non- radioactive elements5-11. From soil samples radionuclides are usually transferred to plant tissues by direct transfer via the root system, or by absorption of fallout radionuclides and resuspension of contaminated soil followed by deposition on plant leaves5,12,13. In addition to the well-known 16 essential elements for the growth and reproduction of plants, a number of other natural radioactive elements like uranium, thorium and their progeny, cosmogonic radionuclideBe and artificial radionuclides such as 137Cs and 90Sr are found to be present in plants for different extents14,15. Coastal Karnataka is a region in which industries have been setup. Thermal power plant near Padubidri, Mangalore, Oil Refineries and Mangalore Chemicals and fertilisers in Mangalore are some of the major industries setup in this region. The agricultural crops such asareca nut, coconut, paddy and vegetables, cashew and spices are grown in this region. This study aims at the analysis of radionuclides concentration in medicinal plants with different curative properties of this region. The plants Justica adhatoda L., Careya arborea Roxb., Mimosa pudica L., Azadirachta indica A Jus. and Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. are selected and different parts of these plants used in medicine are collected in present study. These plants have got very high medicinal value and they are extensively being used in this region for treating different ailment16. Materials and MethodsPuttur (12.77°N and 75.22°E) is a small town in coastal Karnataka region of south India, situated at a height of 87m from Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 102 the sea level. Ayurvedic and traditional systems of medicine is extensively practiced in this region. This region also forms the part of the Western Ghats and good numbers of medicinal plants are available. Samples from this geographic region are collected in the present study. The common and scientific names of the plants, medicinal properties and parts of the plant used as medicine are presented in table -1. The plants and soil samples from the selected area were collected. These samples were processed in accordance with the standard methods (EML procedure manual, 1983) and analyzed for 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs concentrations17. All the above listed radionuclides were estimated using HPGe gamma spectrometer18. The spectrometer was calibrated using standards obtained from IAEA. The soil-to-plant transfer factor (T.F.) is calculated using the following formula19. T.F. =Activity of radionuclide in plant sample (Bq Kg-1dry weight) /Activity of radionuclide in soil sample (BqKgdryweight) Results and Discussion The activity concentrations of the radionuclides 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were measured in the medicinal plants listed above and also in soil samples collected from the corresponding sampling locations and the results are presented in table -2. The detectable level values for the activity concentration of 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs are 0.62, 0.77, 2.46, 1.42 and 0.09 BqKg-1respectively. Activity concentrations of radionuclides less than the corresponding detectable levels are termed as below detectable level (BDL). Table-1 Medicinal property of the plants Medicinal Plant Medicinal Property Parts used Common name Scientific name Adusoge Justica adhatoda L. Bechic, Anti asthmatic and Expectorant leaves Daddala Careya arboreaRoxb. Remedy in ulcer leaves Lajja Mimosa pudica L. Remedy in uterine disorders, wounds, leprosy etc. whole plant Neem Azadirachta indica A Jus. Anti diabetic, Antiseptic leaves Sambrani Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.)Spreng.Diuretic, Antipyretic leaves Table-2 Activity Concentration and transfer factors of radionuclides Plant Quantity 226 Ra 210 Pb 232 Th 40 K 137 Cs Justica adhatodaActivity in soil (BqKg-1) 40.47±5.54 46.07±6.05 100.46 ±3.18 147.84±8.67 2.96±0.63 Activity in plant (BqKg-1) 1.53±0.17 34.03±3.11 BDL 962.41±69.33 0.15±0.08 T.F. 0.037 0.73 BDL 6.50 0.05 Careya arborea Activity in soil (BqKg-1) 41.79±4.17 46.17±5.53 103.36±3.02 131.11±8.32 4.06±0.56 Activity in plant (BqKg-1) 1.93±0.54 119.07±10.08 6.40±0.47 476.77±34.86 BDL T.F. 0.04 2.57 0.06 3.63 BDL Mimosa pudica Activity in soil (BqKg-1) 45.69±5.05 36.15±5.81 89.58±3.27 150.74±9.43 3.77±0.63 Activity in plant (BqKg-1) 0.86±0.55 52.74±4.88 BDL 443.50±32.90 BDL T.F. 0.01 1.45 BDL 2.94 BDL Azadirachta indica Activity in soil (BqKg-1) 58.28±3.50 75.00±9.13 155.29±3.82 142.27±9.10 0.91±0.56 Activity in plant (BqKg-1) 7.78±0.35 9.07±1.49 BDL 722.04±52.32 BDL T.F. 0.13 0.12 BDL 5.07 BDL Plectranthus amboinicusActivity in soil (BqKg-1) 56.37±5.67 85.86±7.13 63.31±2.47 118.64±7.63 5.21±0.55 Activity in plant (BqKg-1) 9.59±0.97 320.34±27.92 4.36±1.42 3401.29±247.21 BDL T.F. 0.17 3.73 0.06 28.66 BDL Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 103 The results presented in column 3 shows that the concentration of 226Ra in plants varies in the range of BDL to 9.59±0.97BqKg.The maximum activity of 226Ra was found in Plectranthus amboinicus plant (9.59±0.97BqKg-1). In soil samples collected from the same area, it varies from 40.47±5.54BqKg-1 to 58.28±3.50BqKg-1. The maximum activity is found in the soil corresponding to Azadirachta indica. The soil-to-plant transfer factor for this radionuclide is found to vary from BDL to 0.17. The activity concentrations of 210Pb in plants are presented in column 4 and it varies from 9.07±1.49 BqKg-1 to 320.34±7.92BqKg-1. The plant Plectranthus amboinicus shows higher concentration (320.34±7.92BqKg-1) compared to other plants. The activity concentration in soil varies from 36.15±5.81 to 85.86±7.13BqKg-1 with maximum activity corresponding to Plectranthus amboinicus. The average area of leaves is about 25 cm, slightly thicker with hair like structure and its surface morphology is rough. This may help in trapping atmospheric deposition and absorption through leaf as one of the routes for higher concentration of 210 Pb in leaves .The soil to plant transfer factors found to vary from 0.12 to 3.73. The higher value of TF in leaves show that the main contribution is from atmospheric deposition on leaves and subsequent absorption. The 232Th activity in plants (column 5) varies between BDL and 6.40±0.47BqKg-1. In Careya arborea, activity of 232Th is found to be maximum (6.40±0.47BqKg-1). In soil samples 232Th activity is found to vary from 63.31±2.47 to 155.29±3.82BqKg. The maximum activity for this radionuclide is found in the soil corresponding to Azadirachta indica. The transfer factors for this radionuclide are found to vary from, BDL to 0.068. The activity concentration of 40K in plants (column 6) varies between 443.50± 32.90 to 3401.29±247.21 BqKg-1 with its maximum value in Plectranthus amboinicus (3401.29±247.21 BqKg-1). The activity of 40K in soil varies from 118.64±7.63 to 150.74±9.43BqKg-1 with its maximum value for Mimosa pudica. Transfer factors found to vary from 2.94 to 28.66. The concentration of 137Cs is tabulated in column 7 and found to be BDL for all the plant samples. In soil samples 137Cs activity varies from 0.91±0.56 to 5.21±0.55BqKg-1 and the maximum activity is found in the Plectranthus amboinicus soil (5.21±0.55BqKg-1). Table-3 Comparison of Transfer factors with literature values Radionuclide T.F. Plant Reference 226Ra BDL- 0.17 plants under this study Present study BDL Tamarindus indica [19] 0.001-0.403 wild plants [25] 0.19-0.73 35 different plants [26] 0.99-1.28 Manihot esculenta [27] 0.50-0.74 Ipomoea batatas [27] 210Pb 0.12-3.73 plants under this study Present study 0.37-1.4 leafy vegetable [5] 0.01-0.34 fruit vegetable [24] 1.47×10 - 3 - 3.86 fruit vegetable [28] 0.01-.35 Rice plant straw [24] 232ThBDL- 0.06 plants under this studyPresent study 0.013-0.024 wheat [9] 0.09- 0.88 35 different plants [26] 0.15-0.61 Manihot esculenta [27] 0.73-1.4 Ipomoea batatas [27] 0.273 Michelia nilagirica [29] 40K 3.63- 28.66 Plants under this study Present study 1.14-1.96 Careyaarborea Roxb. [19] 8.9 spinach [24 0.4- 8.8 Rice plant root [24] 1.10-1.29 Manihot esculenta [27] 3.0-3.5 Ipomoea batatas [27] 137Cs BDL Plants under this study Present study BDL - 0.1 Careya arborea Roxb. [19] 0.2 Spinach [24] 0.03 - 0.44 Grass [30] Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 104 The soil to plant transfer factors of 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th and 40K are found to be maximum in Plectranthus amboinicus. The transfer factor values for 210Pb are more than unity for all the plants except Justica adhatoda and Azadirachta indica. This may because of the fact that in addition to the availability of 210Pb in soil there will be atmospheric fallout in the form of wet and dry precipitate. This deposition will be absorbed by the plant leaves in addition to uptake through the root system20. Accumulation of210Pb by aerial parts of plants occurs mainly through atmospheric deposition and root uptake21. Higher concentration of 210Pb has been observed by other researchers also5,22. In spite of higher concentration of 232Th in soil samples, the higher concentration of 226Ra in plants was observed. The radium dissolves readily in water compared to thorium; consequently it is being transported to the plant through absorption of water through root20. As a member of the alkaline earth metals, the isotopes of radium exhibit similar chemical properties as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) that are essential for the plant growth and nutrition. In place of Caand Mg, depending on its availability plants may take up the 226Ra. However, the concentration of 40K in all the plants is found to be orders of magnitude higher than the activities of 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th and 137Cs. The higher concentration of 40K in both medicinal and non medicinal plants is evident and similar results have been reported by other investigators19,23,24. Potassium is one of the important nutrients of the plants and 40K being its isotope it is expected to be higher in its concentration.The transfer factors of this study are compared with literature and the comparative report is presented in table-3. Figure1-10 represent activity and transfer factors of radionuclides and figure -11 represent comparison of transfer factors in the plants under study. Figure-1 Activity in Justica adhatoda Figure-2 Transfer Factor in Justica adhatoda Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 105 Figure-3 Activity in Careya arborea Figure-4 Transfer Factor in Careya arborea Figure-5 Activity in Mimosa pudica Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 106 Figure-6 Transfer Factor in Mimosa pudica Figure-7 Activity in Azadirachta indica Figure-8 Transfer Factor in Azadirachta indica Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 107 Figure-9 Activity in Plectranthus amboinicus Figure-10 Transfer Factor in Plectranthus amboinicus Figure-11 Comparisson of Transfer factors Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 101-109 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 108 Conclusion The activity concentration of radionuclides and their transfer factors from soil to medicinal plants are presented and discussed in detail. This study proves the presence of activity concentration of certain radionuclides in medicinal plant species. The activities of226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th and 40K are found be present quite significant in trace levels. Ithas been observed that the activity concentration and transfer factors for 40K are higher than any other radionuclide. It has also been noticed that the activity concentration and transfer factor of above mentioned radionuclides is higher in Plectranthus amboinicus plant. It is quite natural that along with the medicines, these radionuclides also may be infused in to the human body. Either these radionuclides play their role in curing the diseases or else they may cause additional radiation dose to the population. Acknowledgement: Chandrashekara K is grateful to University Grants Commission (UGC) for awarding him a fellow ship under its Faculty Development Programme. 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