Phytate, inorganic and total phosphorus and their relations to selected trace and major elements in herbal teas.

Phytate phosphorus in 59 samples of herbal teas was determined within the range of 2.44-36.90 microg/mL. Extraction yield was statistically higher in extracts from the leaves than that found in extracts from other plant organs. Average total level of trace elements determined in medicinal herbs follows the order: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu, for major elements the order is: Ca > Mg > Na > K. Correlation analysis revealed that relations of phytate P to other phosphorus forms and metals were statistically insignificant. However, there were several characteristic relations of inorganic phosphorus to water-extractable K, Zn and total Zn. Furthermore, positive relations were found between total and water-extractable fractions of metals. Principal component analysis grouped the samples into separate clusters. It was also found that inorganic P, as well as water-extractable Zn and Na, had a huge impact on differentiation of the studied plant material.