Authentication of Leaves and Petioles ofPiper betleL. Varieties via Elemental Composition and Multivariate Chemometric Analysis

Piper betleL. (betel) is largely consumed for mastication, mouth freshening, and medicinal purposes throughout the world. This study reports the authentication ofPiper betleL. var.; Bangla, Sanchi, Misti, Khasia, and BARI Paan 3. The samples were analyzed for Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Sr, Ba, Li, Be, V, Co, Ga, Se, U, Cs, As, Cd, Tl, and Pb by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ICP - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Among the macro elements, the concentrations (0.12-8.37 g/kg) are largely type dependent and statistically different, except for Na (0.12-0.34 g/kg). Furthermore, the analyzed samples may be good sources of K (3.99-8.37 g/kg), Ca (1.86-2.88 g/kg), and Mg (0.51-1.91 g/kg). The trace elements were in safe limits, except for Mn and Pb. Using multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analyses (LDA), the variability indices were 85.5% and 100%, respectively. Hence, chemometrics is a promising approach for the authentication of betel varieties.

Automated summary

This study focused on the authentication of various Piper betle L. varieties through chemical analysis, revealing that concentrations of macro elements are largely type-dependent while trace elements are within safe limits. The study also showed that chemometrics is a promising approach for variety authentication.