Quantitative analysis of essential metals in Ceylon Cinnamon and Cassia Cinnamon by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) / Wan Nor Azuin Wan Hassan

This study was conducted to determine the amount of essential metals in bark and powder of two different species of cinnamon which are Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon. The amount of copper, manganese, calcium, iron and zinc were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The wavelength of copper, zinc, manganese, calcium and iron used were 324.75 nm, 213.86 nm, 279.48 nm, 422.67 nm and 248.33 nm respectively. A series of standard with different concentrations were prepared for the metal under study to construct the calibration curve. The essential metals were extracted by using wet digestion method. Based on the results, Ca is the highest metal found in both types of cinnamons (bark and powder), followed by Mn. The amount of Ca in bark and powder of Ceylon cinnamon are 5391.8 ± 5.0x10"3 mg/kg and 5790.3 ± 2.0x10"3 mg/kg respectively while the amount of Ca in bark and powder of Cassia cinnamon are 7625.7 ± 4.0x10"3 mg/kg and 6496.5 ± 7.0x10"3 mg/kg respectively. The content of Mn in bark and powder of Ceylon cinnamon are 231.0 ± 9.0 xiO"3 mg/kg and 355.5 ± 5.0 xiO"3 mg/kg respectively while the content of Mn in Cassia cinnamon are 248.8 ± 2.0 xiO"3 mg/kg (bark) and 551.0 ± 6.0 xiO"3 mg/kg (powder). Generally, Cassia bark is better than Ceylon bark because it contains high amount of essential metals while Ceylon powder is better than Cassia powder when comparing different species. In addition, the powder of Ceylon cinnamon is better than bark of Ceylon cinnamon while the bark of Cassia cinnamon is better than powder of Cassia cinnamon.