Application of X-ray Spectral Analysis in Russia to Determine Chemical Elements in Medicinal Plants

Some methods of X-ray spectral analysis used by Russian researchers to determine the elemental composition of medicinal plants are considered. The review focuses on the articles published in Russian journals over the past 20 years. Researchers utilize wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), energy dispersive XRF (EDXRF), synchrotron radiation XRF (SRXRF), and total reflection XRF (TXRF) spectrometry; electron probe microanalysis, and scanning electron microscopy to analyze both macro- and microelement contents in medicinal plants. The simultaneous determination of macro- and microelements, coupled with nondestructive sample preparation, makes XRF spectrometry an attractive method for identifying and monitoring the chemical composition of plants, especially those employed in medical practice. Most published studies provide comprehensive information on sample preparation and measurement procedures, present metrological evaluations, and discuss the results obtained. However, some publications lack essential methodological details, and misprints in the presented analytical data occur.