X-Ray Characterisation of Various Aluminium Phases in the Medicinal Herb Bacopa Monnieri Affected by Simulated Acid Rain

Abstract

In the present investigation various aluminium-based new phases formed due to substitution of sulphur via simulated acid rain in Bacopa monnieri have been analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. So far there is no report on the effects of acid rain on the B. monnieri herb and its vital properties like memory-boosting mechanism. Therefore, in the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze the various aluminium phase (salt) formations due to the substitution of sulphur via simulated acid rain (SiAR) in B. Monnieri because of its toxicological importance. The new phases like AlH(SO₄)₂ and Al₂S₃ along with usual Al₂O₃:H₂O, MgO, FeAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂:8H₂O, (K₂Ca(SO₄)₂:H₂O), have been observed in B. monnieri when treated with sulphuric-simulated acid rain (S-SiAR) of two different pH (3.39 and 5.45) for 20 weeks. These Al-based new salts formed in the above medicinal herb due to the induction of S-SiAR may cause Alzheimer’s disease and induce other abnormities.

KEYWORDS: Sulphuric-simulated acid rain, X-ray diffraction, Bacopa monnieri, phases, pH.