Determination of the Levels of Selected Essential Metals in Sycamore ( Ficus sycomorus L) Fruit and Seed Using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

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Introduction
Ficus sycomorus L. is part of the Moraceae family; it has been cultivated since ancient times [1]. It requires wasp pollination of a particular species of wasp to produce seeds [2]. Te development of the F. sycomorus L. are dependent upon small chalcidoid wasps of the family Agaonidae. No other means of pollination of fg fowers are available to the plant, and the wasps cannot develop anywhere except in the gall fowers of the fg. Te female agaonids carrying pollen enter the young receptacles at the time the female fowers are ready for pollination [3]. F. sycomorus L. is a widely known and consumed Mediterranean plant (Figure 1). Its fruit is without fat and cholesterol; it contains lots of vitamins and good source of dietary fber. It is also a good source of mineral elements. In medicine, it is internally used to control digestion. As a part of the Mediterranean diet, its little laxative efect is quite useful. Fresh F. sycomorus L. fruit contains lots of pectin, which infuences the human body to reduce the cholesterol amount. It contains a lot of antioxidants, a good source of polyphenols and favonoids [4].
Fruits are truly among nature's great gifts because they provide many nutrients that are essential for the health and maintenance of our bodies [5]. Seed of sycamore recorded rich sources of minerals, e.g., phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Te phytochemical components of seeds are below the recommended toxic levels, and this implies that the overall nutritional value of the seeds will not be toxic to human nutritional factors [6]. Te seeds of sycamore contain substantial levels of nutrients [7]. Dry fruits have substantial quantities of essential nutrients in a rational proportion. Tey have considerably more energy than fresh fruits because the nutrients are concentrated in solids when the water is removed. Fig fruit (F. sycomorus L.) is one among such nutritious dry fruit, which is available throughout the year [8].
Micronutrient defciency is still a public health problem in Ethiopia despite the efort that has been made to eliminate it. World Health Organization reported that about 30% of the population in developing countries sufers currently from one or more of the multiple forms of nutritional defciencies especially that of micronutrient [9], which stated that the incidence of malnutrition is higher in rural areas than urban slums, particularly protein and micronutrient defciencies [10].
In most developing countries, three micronutrient defciencies are common. Tese are vitamin A defciency (VAD), iron defciency anemia (IDA), and iodine defciency disease (IDD). Tese defciency diseases were caused partly because of the food gap seasonality in which people experience food abundance, especially vegetables during the rainy season and severe scarcity during the dry season [11].
Mineral elements play an important role in afecting the proper mechanism of the human body. Tese components are usually obtained from nutrition, but usually not enough is gained. Nowadays, lots of supplements are commercially sold, but hardly any of them contains the needed elements in the right natural form; therefore, their absorption or bioavailability in the human body is not as it is expected. Nutrition is the best for gaining these elements in natural form. Previous studies indicate that F. sycomorus L. is a good source of minerals, vitamins, and dietary fber [12]. In this study, mineral contents (macro and micro essential metals) in fruit and seeds of sycamore (F. sycomorus L) were analyzed.
Tere are many wild fruits in Ethiopia which were popular in the past but are no longer popular in the present time [13]. Te fruits are not owned by a particular individual, and they could be collected freely and consumed by the community to increase nutrient intake. Some of the wild fruits are available during dry season when many domestic fruits and vegetables are scarce and very expensive. Despite the abundance of these fruits, there is still problem of nutrient defciency in Ethiopia [13]. Hence, there is need to identify and evaluate the nutrient levels of wild fruits. Te fruits could be integrated in the food-based approach for fghting nutrient defciency in Ethiopia.
Tere are few reports about the metallic contents of fruits and seeds of F. sycomorus plant in other countries of the world [7,14]. However, there is no any study where made as macro and micro essential metals (elements) for fruits and seeds of F. sycomorus plant grown in Ethiopia. Terefore, this study aimed at determining the levels of selected essential metals found in fruits and seeds of Ficus sycomorus plant grown and consumed at Dera Woreda of South Gondar zone, Amhara region state, Ethiopia.
Te overall objective of this study was to determine levels of selected essential metals in sycamore (F. sycomorus L.) seeds and fruits in Dera Woreda, South Gondar zone, Amhara region state, Ethiopia. Te major signifcance of this study is to provide information about the level of essential metals in F. sycomorus L. fruits and seeds. Te study will provide baseline information on the nutrient composition of F. sycomorus L. fruits and seeds. Te study will assist in the estimation of dietary requirement of the fruits and seeds.
Te accurate information on the nutrient composition of these fruits and seeds will also help to integrate them into the food-based approach for fghting micronutrients defciency. Determination of K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn in fruits and seeds may help provide alternative cheaper and accessible sources of such essential elements which will in turn provide remedies to diet-related diseases including diabetes and cancer [15]. Such a strategy will in addition help lower medical costs involved in caring for and managing dietrelated diseases. Consequently, dietary intervention will signifcantly improve quality of life, productivity, and longevity. Te study will document levels of K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn in fruits and seeds. Information gathered will be used to sensitize people on the nutritive value of plant food sources and medicinal plants growing naturally and their role in human health as therapeutic agents [14]. Since most Ethiopians cannot aford food supplements and balanced diets, these research fndings will be used to encourage people to forage for wild plant products.

Description of the Study Area.
Dera is one of the districts in the Amhara Regional State in Ethiopia. It is one of the 14 districts in the South Gondar Administrative Zone. It is bordered in the south by the Abbay River which separates it from the West Gojjam Zone, in the West by Lake Tana, in the North by Fogera, in the northeast by Misraq Este, and on the east by Mirab Este. Dera district is located 42 km from Bahir Dar, which is the capital city of Amhara Regional State, and about 79 km from Debre Tabor, the capital city of the South Gondar zone. Te Woreda lies between 37°25′45″ E−37°54′10″E longitude and 11°23′15″-11°53′30″N latitude with an area of 152,524.13 ha [16].

Sample Collection.
For this study, mature fgs of F. sycomorus L. were collected from the major branches of a tree. Te F. sycomorus L. fruit was randomly collected in March from the study site, Dera Woreda of South Gondar Zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. During collection, ripened Ficus sycomorus L. fruits were picked up using a stick plant wisely (seeds known inside the fruits). Ten, the fruits were washed with fresh water to release their spines and other foreign materials and dried by the sun, and then, the seeds of the sample were separated from the fruit. Finally, the fruit and seeds were stored in clean polyethylene plastic bags, and labelled and transported to the laboratory for further treatment.

Apparatus and Instruments.
Glass bottles were used while preserving the grinded and homogenized samples before the actual laboratory experiments. Mortar and pestle were used for grinding and homogenizing the samples. A digital analytical balance (Napco Precision Instrument Ltd.) with a precision of ±0.0001 g was used to weigh F. sycomorus L. sample. A drying oven (G.P.O. BOX58, Ambala Cantt-133 011, INDIA) was used to dry the F. sycomorus L fruit sample in order to pulverize F. sycomorus L samples. Round bottom fasks (250 mL) ftted with a refux condenser were used to digest the dried and powdered F. sycomorus L. fruit samples on a standard laboratory hot plate.
Filtration funnels and flter paper (Whatman-41) were used for the fltration of the sample solution after digestion during the sample preparation processes. Volumetric fasks (50, 100, and 250 mL) were used during dilution, preservation of samples, and preparation of metal standard solutions.
A refrigerator (CXFG1685W ESKISEHIR, TURKEY) was used for sample preservation after digestion and before AAS analysis. Micropipettes of size 50-200 μL and 100-1000 μL were used for measuring reagents used during sample preparation, preparation of standard solutions, and spiking. A fame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (BUCK Scientifc-210 VGP, USA) equipped with a deuterium background corrector was used for the analysis of the metals K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn using an air acetylene fame.

Chemicals and Reagents.
Analytical grade chemicals, reagents, distilled, and deionized water were used throughout. All glassware and plastic containers used were washed with a detergent solution followed by soaking in 10% (v/v) nitric acid and then rinsed with deionized water. HNO 3 (65%) and H 2 O 2 (30%) were used to digest the matrix samples to a 100 mL volumetric fask containing about 0.5 g of LaCl 3 .
Te cooled solution was flled to the mark (100 mL) with deionized water. Lanthanum chloride was used to avoid refractory interferences and used to minimize the precipitation of Ca and Mg ions in the form of phosphates and sulphates [17]. Te standard stock solutions contain 1000 mgL −1 , in 1% HNO3, of the metals Ca, Mg, K, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn and hydrochloric acid; HCl was used for the preparation of calibration standards in the analysis of unspiked and spiked samples. Distilled water was used for the dilution of samples, intermediate, and working metal standard solutions prior to analysis and for rinsing glassware.

Sample Preparation for Elemental Analysis.
Sample-holding glass bottles were soaked in the cleaning solution for 24 hours, washed and rinsed with distilled water, and then dried in the oven for storing the prepared samples for digestion.
Fruit and seed of F. sycomorus L were rinsed with tap water and then washed with distilled water in order to remove surface contamination and dried at 55 to 60°C in an oven. A portion of the dried fruit and seed F. sycomorus L was homogenized by using a mortar and pestle, and the powder was transferred to put in a clean sample container.
2.6. Digestion of the Samples. A 0.50 g of sample was weighed by using an electronic balance. Te weighed sample was then placed in a digestion fask to await digestion. Wet acid digestion was done by standard methods reported by [18]. A 0.5 g of the powdered sample was added to 10 mL of conc. HNO 3 in 50 mL beaker and placed on the electric hot plate for 1 hour to get semidried sample at 110°C. Again, 10 mL of conc. HNO 3 and 5 mL of H 2 O 2 were added and again kept on the hot plate and heated vigorously.
Te addition of HNO 3 and H 2 O 2 was continued till the solution was colourless and its volume reduced up to 2-3 mL. It was cooled and fltered with the help of the Whatman 41 flter paper. Te fltrate was stored in a 100 mL sample bottle. It was diluted to 100 mL with 1 mL LaCl 3 and distilled water.
LaCl 3 was added to the digested solution to eliminate the chemical interference of Ca and Mg ions, and the solution was then flled to the mark (50 mL) with deionized water. Te solutions were stored in the refrigerator until put in actual measurement. Digestion of the reagent blank was also performed in parallel with each of the seeds fruit samples keeping all digestion parameters the same and stored in the refrigerator until the analysis [19].

Preparation of Standard Solutions and Blanks.
Stock solutions were prepared from analytical grade salts of each metal. Each salt of the metals was weighed and transferred into 250 mL volumetric fasks. Stock solutions of K, Mg, and Fe were prepared by dissolving 0.25 g of chloride salts in 25 mL HCl and diluting it to the mark using distilled water to give 1000 μg·mL −1 . Stock solutions of Ca, Zn, and Cu were prepared by dissolving 0.25 g of nitrate salts in 25 mL HCl and diluting it to the mark using distilled water to give 1000 μg·mL −1 . For the Mn stock solution, sulphate salt was used. Te stock solutions were in 1% nitric acid and during dilution steps; the fnal acid concentration was maintained at about 1% to keep the metal in a free ionic state. Te stock solutions were stored in polyethylene bottles. Working standards were freshly prepared from stock solutions each time an analysis was to be carried out.

Instrument
Calibration. Calibration of an instrument or a piece of equipment involves making a comparison of a measured quantity against a reference value. In this study, atomic absorption spectroscopic standard solutions containing 1000 mgL −1 were used for preparing intermediate standard solutions (20 mg/mL) in a 100 mL volumetric fask.
Calibration curves were plotted with fve points for each of the selected macro and trace essential metals standard using absorbance against concentrations (mgL −1 ), and the calibration curve is given in Figure 2. Immediately after calibration using the standard solutions, the sample solutions were aspirated into the AAS instrument, and direct readings of the metal concentrations were recorded. Tree replicate determinations were carried out on each sample.
Intermediate secondary stock solutions containing 20 mgL −1 of each metal were prepared from the corresponding 1000 mgL −1 stock solutions, and working standards of 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mgL −1 solutions were prepared from the secondary stock by serial dilution with deionized water. Each metal (K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) exhibited linear calibration plots with respective linear R 2 values of 0.9919, 0.9906, 0.9945, 0.9959, 0.9952, 0.9916, and 0.9917 based on triplicate measurements of the blank, and the four concentrations mentioned previously.

Sample
Analysis. Te mineral elements in F. sycomorus L fruits and seeds were measured using a fame atomic absorption spectrophotometry with fame atomisation operated under the working conditions. Te measurements were made in hold mode with air acetylene fame, where the air (as oxidant) was maintained at a fow of 50 mL·min −1 , and the acetylene (as fuel) was maintained at a fow of 20 mL·min −1 , to reach a fame temperature of 2,600°C.
Te samples were analyzed in replicates, under the same conditions as standards and blank. For better precision, standards were measured before and after the sample solutions. Te blank was measured between standards and samples to ensure the stability of the baseline. Te operating conditions of the AAS are given in Table 1.
Te limit of detection is the smallest mass of analyte that can be distinguished from statistical fuctuations in a blank, which usually correspond to the standard deviation of the blank absorbance times a constant. Usually, it is defned as the amount of analyte that gives a signal equal to three times the standard deviation on the blank [20].
For both fruit and seed samples, the method detection limits were calculated by multiplying the standard deviation of the reagent blank by three (LOD � 3 × S blank n � 3) measured in triplicate by three. Te method detection limits are generally comparable with that of instrument F. sycomorus fruit.
Te lowest concentration level at which a measurement is quantitatively meaningful is called the limit of quantitation (LOQ). Te LOQ is most often defned as 10 times the signal/noise ratio. If the noise is approximated as the standard deviation of the blank (SB), then LOQ is 10 × SB [21].
Te LOQ was calculated by multiplying pooled standard deviation of the reagent blank by ten (LOQ � 10 × S blank n � 3), and the value for each element was listed in Table 2.   It is the process used to confrm that the analytical procedure employed for a specifc test is suitable for its intended use. Te efciency of the method was assessed by spiking fruit and seed F. sycomorus L. with known amounts of metals, and each of the metals was analyzed in triplicate.
Te percentage recoveries of the analytes were calculated by the use of equation (1). Recovery was calculated using the following equation [22]: Te recovery values of fruit and seed of F. sycomorus L. samples are given in Tables 3 and 4, respectively. Te tables show that the recovery results for the metals lie in the range 80-120%. Te results show the validity of the proposed methods for fruit and seed of F. sycomorus L. analysis.

Results and Discussion
Te accuracy and precision of the results were checked with the aid of diferent statistical methods after the determination of the levels of metals in seed and fruit samples. Te mean values were determined from a triplicate analysis of each sample. Te mean values determined were reported in terms of mean values (X) ± SD, for all the metals in this study. Te F-AAS method was applied for the determination of the levels of seven metals (K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in fruit and seed of Ficus sycomorus L. samples. Results determined from each sample are listed in terms of mean value and standard deviation of mg·kg −1 in Table 5.
Mineral elements are essential for human health. Te concentration of these elements has an important physiological efect on diferent organs and cellular mechanisms; therefore, it is necessary to know the levels of essential elements in sycamore seeds and fruits [23]. Metals absorbed by plants from diferent sources are accumulated in diferent parts of the plant's body, such as roots, stems, leaves, fruit, seeds, and other parts. Te amount of metals accumulated in the plants' body parts is variable. Te focus of this study is on the level of some essential metals in seeds and fruits of F. sycomorus L. the common edible part by human beings (Figure 3).

Potassium.
Potassium is one of the most important minerals in the body. It helps regulate fuid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. What's more, a highpotassium diet may help reduce blood pressure and water retention, protect against stroke, and prevent osteoporosis and kidney stones [24]. In this study, potassium was the second accumulated metal in F. sycomorus L. samples with concentrations in mg·kg −1 (133 ± 3.291 and 122 ± 1.6) for fruits and seeds, respectively. Te higher concentration was recorded in the fruit sample.

Magnesium.
Te most well-known role of Mg is its occurrence at the center of the chlorophyll molecule. Besides its function in the chlorophyll molecule, Mg 2+ is required in other physiological processes. One major role of Mg 2+ is as a cofactor in almost all enzymes activating phosphorylation processes. Mg is therefore important throughout the metabolism [25] Magnesium is the frst most accumulated among seven metals in F. sycomorus L. samples analyzed in this study. Te concentration level of Mg in mg·kg −1 was 400 ± 10 and 333 ± 5.7 for fruit and seed samples, respectively.

Calcium.
Calcium is an essential macronutrient for both plants and animals. It is involved in cell division, bone and teeth building, and blood coagulation. Calcium in plants is a critical component of cell walls and membranes stabilizing and also assists in protein formation and carbohydrate transport [26]. In this study, calcium was the third accumulated metal in F. sycomorus L. samples with Table 2: Instrument detection limit, method detection limit, and quantitation limit for metals of interest determined in F. sycomorus L. fruit and seed sample.

Copper.
Copper is an essential micronutrient for many plants and animals. For human being, 1-3mg of copper per day is recommended for normal body condition. Human toxicity from copper is generally rare, but prolonged exposure to children may damage the liver and cause death. Copper is taken up by the plant in only very small quantities. Copper concentration in this study was in mg·kg −1 (3.6 ± 0.15 and 3.38 ± 0.15) for fruits and seeds, respectively. Te higher level of copper was found in fruits than seed samples. Te permissible limit set by FAO/WHO in edible plants was 3.00 mg·kg −1 [27].

Iron.
Iron is an essential element for both plant productivity and nutritional quality. Improving plant iron content was attempted through genetic engineering of plants overexpressing ferritins. However, both the roles of these proteins in plant physiology and the mechanisms involved in the regulation of their expression are largely unknown [28]. Iron is essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll and heme or haemin which function as prosthetic groups [29]. Iron is by far the most accumulated metal with in micro essential metals determined in the Ficus sycomorus L. samples studied in this work. Te concentration was in mg·kg −1 (5.7 ± 0.5 and 4.19 ± 0.87) for fruit and seed samples, respectively. Te permissible limit set by FAO/WHO in edible plants was 20 mg·kg −1 [27,30].

3.6.
Zinc. Zinc is one of the important metals for normal growth and development in human beings. Defciency of zinc can result from inadequate dietary intake, impaired absorption, excessive excretion, or inherited defects in zinc metabolism. Zinc defciency is of growing concern in the developing world because of the consumption of plant foods that have inhibitory components for zinc absorption. Especially, in these populations, zinc defciency is related to the high consumption of bread made without yeast [31]. Zinc is an essential trace metal involved in growth and DNA synthesis in human with normal daily intake of 7-16 mg per day for adults. Te concentration of zinc determined in this study in fruit and seed samples was from 2.3 ± 0.55 to 2.06 ± 0.42, respectively. Te level of zinc was the least of seven essential metals in both Ficus sycomorus L. samples. Te permissible limit set by FAO/WHO in edible plants was 27.4 mg·kg −1 , which is higher than the present study [27].

Manganese.
Manganese is an essential element in respiration and nitrogen metabolism; in both processes, it functions as an enzyme activator. Manganese is also in some way involved in the oxidation-reduction processes in the photosynthetic electron transport system [32].
In this study, manganese was the sixth accumulated metal in fruits and seeds of Ficus sycomorus L. with a concentration of 3.04 ± 0.16 and 3.042 ± 0.163 in mg·kg −1 , respectively. Tus, the levels determined in both Ficus sycomorus L samples were relatively the same. Te permissible limit set by FAO/WHO in edible plants was 2 mg·kg −1 [27].

Comparison of Level of Essential Metals in Ficus sycomorus L. Fruit Obtained in the Present Study with Literature.
Te results obtained in the present study could be compared with the results that have been reported by diferent authors.
In fact, there is a diference in the sample preparation and analysis techniques. Te concentration of magnesium in Ficus sycomorus L. fruit in the present study was much less than that in Tunisia. But the level of magnesium was greater than in Nigeria and much less than that in UAE. Te concentration of potassium in the present study was the least recorded. Te concentration of potassium in UAE, Tunisia, and Nigeria was much greater than in the present study, but in India, the level of potassium was not reported. Te concentration of calcium in Ficus sycomorus L. fruit in the U.A.E is quite higher than the calcium concentration in the present study and in Nigeria was double of the present study. Te iron concentration in the present study was the least compared to the concentration in Tunisia and higher than in Nigeria. Other study reported that Fe in UAE and in India was also determined in Ficus sycomorus L. fruit. Te concentration of Zn in the present study was relatively close to Tunisia, but in UAE and in India comparatively higher. Te concentration of Cu in the present study was almost the same as in UAE and in India. When we compare the level of Cu in the present study was the double of Tunisia and not reported in Nigeria. And fnally, the level of Mn in the present study was quite similar to the level of Mn in Tunisia (Tables 6 and 7).
Te concentration of potassium in Ficus sycomorus L. fruit was relatively the same as in Psidium guajava fruit but lower than Ficus carica L and Strychnos spinosa. Te concentration of magnesium in Ficus sycomorus L. was the highest compared to Ficus carica L, Strychnos spinosa, and Psidium guajava. Concentration of Ca was the lowest in Ficus sycomorus L. compared to Ficus carica, Strychnos spinosa, and Psidium guajava.Te concentrations of Fe were relatively the same as Ficus carica L but lower than compared with Strychnos spinosa.. Te concentration of Cu in this study was lower than Psidium guajava but slightly higher than others. Mn in this investigation was higher than Strychnos spinosa.
In general, the level of these metals difers in sycamore fruit and other fruits. Te reason may be the types of soil or the ability of plants to absorb and accumulate these essential metals from the soil.

Comparison of Level of Essential Metals in Ficus sycomorus L. Seed Obtained in the Present Study with
Literature. Te concentration of potassium in Ficus sycomorus L. seed was relatively the same as in Turkey but considerably lower than in India and Pakistan. Te concentration of magnesium in this study was higher than in the rest of Turkey and Pakistan and lower than in India. Te concentration of Ca and Fe was both lower than the other one. Te concentrations of Cu were comparatively the same as in India and Pakistan but lower than in Turkey. Mn in this study was the same as in Pakistan and India, but next to Turkey. Te concentration of Zn in this study was next to that in Turkey and was the same as in India (Table 8).

Comparison of Level of Essential Metals in Sycamore
Samples with Standard Limits of IOM/FNB/NAS and WHO/ FAO. Te concentration of essential metals is determined in this study as shown in Table 9. Terefore, the level of magnesium, iron, and zinc is agreed with the standards of FNB/IOM/NAS and WHO/FAO. But the level of potassium and calcium in this work was below the level of standards.
Te concentration of manganese and copper was above the standard limits. Hence, manganese toxicity and copper poisoning may occur in our body if taking high amount of Ficus sycomorus L. fruits and seeds.

Conclusion and Recommendation
Te objective of this study was to determine the levels of selected macro and micro essential metals (Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in Ficus sycomorus L. (Shola) using F AAS. Ficus sycomorus L (Shola) the common fg was analyzed for essential metal content for its health benefts and its potential to be used as a functional food. In this study, metal levels in Ficus sycomorus L. seed and fruit at Dera Woreda, South Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia were analyzed for their contents of K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn using fame atomic absorption spectrometer. A good percentage recovery was obtained (100 ± 119) for all the metals identifed. Te levels of essential metals in Ficus sycomorus L. seed and fruit determined in this study varied in the order (Mg (227-410 mg/kg) > K120-137 mg/kg) > Ca (30-34 mg/kg) > Fe (3-7 mg/ kg) > Cu (1-4 mg/kg) > Mn (2-4 mg/kg) > Zn (-3 mg·kg −1 ).    Te results of this work indicated that Ficus sycomorus L. fruit and seed accumulate relatively higher amounts of Mg and Fe among the determined macro essential and micro essential metals, respectively. Te contents of minerals specially trace metals in Ficus sycomorus L. in this study were within the daily recommended level and thus advisable as healthy food for the treatment of diferent health complications.
Based on the fnding of this study, the following recommendations are forwarded. Te study found that Ficus sycomorus L. has many macro and micro essential metals such as K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn. Tus, society should be encouraged to consume fruit and seed. Additionally, the analysis of the soil metal content where Ficus sycomorus L. is growing is essential by validating the method of analysis and characterizing and using other instruments like ICP-OES. In order to make users aware of the metal composition and to keep users safe from health risks, further study should be carried out by collecting samples from all Ficus sycomorus L. growing areas of the country.

Data Availability
Te data supporting the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Disclosure
A preprint of this article has previously been published [44].

Conflicts of Interest
Te authors declare that they have no conficts of interest.