Determination of rare earth elements in some flower herb teas and their infusions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the sixteen rare earth elements (REEs) in twelve types of popular flower herb teas and their infusions consumed in China. Microwave-assisted acid digestion was used for all of the samples, and the contents of these elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of REEs varied from 94.6 to 7492 μg kg-1 among these flower samples. Ce was the most abundant elements in all flower samples (27.3-3016 μg kg-1). The leached ratios of REEs for each type of tea ranged from 7.3% (globe amaranth) to 29.8% (carnation). The leach ratios of REEs in these flower herb teas were at different percentages depending on types of flowers. The daily intake of rare earth oxides from these flower herb tea infusions may not produce any health risks.