XRF analysis of Carica papaya leaves of semi arid region of Kachchh

The objective of the present investigation was to study the chemical composition of leaves of Carica papaya belonging to family Caricaceae growing in semi-arid region of Kachchh district, Gujarat, India. The leaves of C. papaya were subjected to Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and were analyzed for different mineral composition. As the X-ray Fluorescence is one of the most reliable and accurate, as well as it is also a consistent and non-destructive method for analysis of major and trace elements using a single pressed pellet. During the study it was found that Oxygen, Calcium, Magnessium, Potassium were noted in higher amounts, compared to that of other elements like Silicon, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Chloride, Strontium, Stanous, Aluminium, Cromium and Mangenese, whereas the elements which were not detected in leaves of C. papaya are Vanadium, Titanium, Cobalt and Tantalum.