A Study of Mineral Content of Weeds in Nakhon Pathom with Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy

Abstract

The study aimed to compare mineral content in different parts of weeds and minerals in each weed species that growing in Nakhon Pathom with Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Five types of weeds were studied: tridax daisy (Tridax procumbens), sessile joyweed (Alternanthera paronichyoides), sensitive plant  (Mimosa pucida), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli)) and swollen finger grass (Chloris barbata). All weeds grow well in all areas of Thailand and tolerate drought well. Plant samples were collected at 13°51'26.8"N 100°06'20.7"E in Nakhon Pathom in the middle of April. Data were then statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA; the statistical significance level was determined at p≤0.05. The mineral content results of the five weeds in the same part showed that the elemental silicon (Si) was significantly different with statistical significance. Comparing the mineral content in the root, stem and leaf in the same type of weed, magnesium (Mg), chlorine (Cl), and potassium (K) were significantly different. From this research, it was concluded that in the application of forensic science, silicon could be used to separate plant species, identify examples of plants that may be illegally cultivated or traded, or link the suspect, the victim, and the crime scene. The amount of magnesium, chlorine, and potassium minerals accumulated in various parts could be used to link the force acting on broken plants and assess crime scene entry.