Elemental composition of the three poisonous Digitalis L. species of Moldovan origin determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis.

Digitalis species play a significant role in the treatment of congestive heart failure and other cardiac diseases. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was employed to determine the elemental composition of three species: Digitalis ferruginea L., Digitalis lanata Ehrh., and Digitalis purpurea L. (n = 9). Analytical quality was assured using certified reference materials. Among the major elements, potassium exhibited the highest mass fractions, with values ranging from 1.52 ± 0.1% in D. purpurea to 2.79 ± 0.2% in D. ferruginea. Chlorine and iron were identified as the most abundant minor elements. Among potentially toxic elements, arsenic was detected in Digitalis ferruginea and Digitalis purpurea, whereas antimony and other elements were determiend in all species. The range of elements quantified in the present study considerably exceeds that reported in previous investigations on other Digitalis species. Notably, the mass fractions of nearly all determined elements were found to be higher in D. purpurea, which may be attributed to its biological properties and high metal uptake capacity-a finding that warrants further investigation.