Effect of natural radiation on diosgenin extracted from balanites aegyptiaca

Abstract EN

The present investigation is mainly concerned with the uptake of uranium by native medical plant (B.

aegyptiaca) grown at naturally radioactive area, which is located at Wadi El-Gemal area, that is considered as one of the main Wadies in the South Eastern desert of Egypt.

The uranium contents in the three samples of B.

aegyptiaca collected from three regions of Wadi El-Gemal, are 0.08, 0.35 and 2.1 ppm.

Diosgenin in the main active constituent in B.

aegyptiaca fruit samples, but the concentrations of uranium used in this investigation have not effect on the structure of diosgenin, as it was shown from IR spectrum.