2. Results and Analysis

2.1 Regional Distribution of Elemental Contents in Cistanche deserticola

Using ICP-MS with collision/reaction cell (CRC) technology and interference correction, 20 elements were quantitatively analyzed from 54 Cistanche deserticola samples collected across 8 regions in Gansu Province. The total elemental content varied significantly among regions, ranked as follows:

Dunhuang > Jinta > Minqin > Guazhou > Gulang > Jingtai > Jingyuan > Linze

This variation is attributable to multiple factors:

Geographic and climatic conditions: Dunhuang's arid desert environment, high diurnal temperature variation, and alkaline sandy soils are ideal for Cistanche growth and nutrient uptake.

Host plant diversity: Cistanche in Dunhuang parasitizes Haloxylon ammodendron and Tamarix, which provide optimal water and nutrient support, unlike less favorable host conditions in Linze.

Key Elemental Findings (μg/kg):

Element	Highest Region	Lowest Region	Range Observed
Ca	Dunhuang (15,961)	Minqin (5,787)	5,846 – 10,576
Mg	Minqin (9,190)	Jingtai (2,107)	2,107 – 9,190
Al	Dunhuang (1,803)	Minqin (403)	403 – 1,803
Fe	Dunhuang (1,934)	Jingyuan (413)	501 – 1,141
Mn	Jinta (97.3)	Jingtai (30.2)	40.7 – 87.7
Zn	Jingtai (990.9)	Minqin (54.4)	54 – 990
Cu	Jingtai (1,378)	Other regions (~50)	31 – 1,378
As	Minqin (3.97)	Linze (1.09)	1.09 – 3.97
Pb	Jingtai (42.6)	Others (<5)	<5 – 42.6
Hg	Gulang (0.85)	Jingtai (0.08)	0.08 – 1.50

Note: All samples meet the safety limits defined by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020):
Pb ≤ 5 mg/kg, Cu ≤ 20 mg/kg, As ≤ 2 mg/kg, Hg ≤ 0.2 mg/kg.

These differences highlight the region-specific capacity of Cistanche to absorb and accumulate nutrients, which is crucial for supplement formulation.

 

 

 

cistanche lives in the Xinjiang Desert in China

 

2.2 Correlation Analysis of Element Contents

A correlation heatmap was generated to assess potential interactions among the 20 elements. Significant positive correlations (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) were observed:

Synergistic Uptake:

Li ↔ Al, Cr, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, As, Sr

Be ↔ Sn, Pb, Co, Zn, As

Mg ↔ Mn, Cr

Ca ↔ Mn, Fe

Cr ↔ Mn, Fe, Sr

Sn ↔ Cu, Zn

Ba ↔ Mn, Fe

Co/Ni ↔ Cu/Zn

Antagonistic Relationships:

Mg ↔ Sn, Pb

Sr ↔ Cu, Sn

Hg ↔ Cu

Pb ↔ Sr

Sr ↔ Mo

These findings suggest that certain elements co-accumulate, while others exhibit mutual inhibition, reflecting complex nutrient dynamics in desert plants.

 

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2.3 Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

To reduce dimensionality and identify key contributors to regional differences, PCA was conducted on the elemental dataset. Results:

PCA Suitability (Tab. 4):

Metric	Value
KMO Value	0.710
Bartlett's Test (χ²)	1668.854
Degrees of Freedom	190
Significance (P-value)	< 0.001

Principal Component Summary (Tab. 4):

Component	Eigenvalue	Variance (%)	Cumulative (%)
PC1	6.007	30.035	30.035
PC2	5.258	26.291	56.326
PC3	2.166	10.831	67.157
PC4	1.238	6.189	73.346
PC5	1.122	5.612	78.958

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Element Loadings for Each Principal Component (Tab. 5):

Element	PC1	PC2	PC3	PC4	PC5
Li	0.667	0.492	-0.115	-0.210	0.141
Be	-0.109	0.684	-0.521	0.036	0.288
B	-0.172	-0.168	0.309	-0.467	0.431
Mg	0.579	-0.199	-0.027	0.614	0.212
Al	0.836	0.323	0.121	-0.303	-0.119
Ca	0.665	0.050	0.321	0.186	-0.052
Cr	0.667	0.330	-0.022	0.118	-0.141
Mn	0.821	0.145	0.040	0.273	-0.034
Fe	0.848	0.325	0.135	-0.292	-0.108
Co	0.163	0.829	-0.365	-0.094	0.136
Ni	-0.263	0.302	0.532	-0.031	-0.351
Cu	-0.451	0.823	0.275	0.121	0.066
Zn	-0.440	0.822	0.281	0.140	0.081
As	0.245	0.678	-0.502	-0.027	-0.009
Sr	0.673	-0.129	0.281	0.383	0.244
Mo	-0.196	0.143	-0.744	0.121	-0.310
Sn	-0.433	0.831	0.238	0.131	0.088
Ba	0.868	0.342	0.157	-0.227	-0.075
Hg	0.160	-0.280	-0.092	-0.083	0.642
Pb	-0.443	0.790	0.319	0.121	0.079

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Comprehensive Regional Ranking Based on PCA (Tab. 7)

Using the formula:

Y = 0.380Y₁ + 0.333Y₂ + 0.137Y₃ + 0.078Y₄ + 0.071Y₅

Region	Score	Rank
Dunhuang	1.390	🥇 1st
Guazhou	-0.124	🥈 2nd
Gulang	-0.075	🥉 3rd
Jingtai	0.089	4th
Jingyuan	-0.466	5th
Jinta	0.203	6th
Linze	-0.314	7th
Minqin	-0.247	8th

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3. Discussion

3.1 Elemental Safety and Quality Insights

All samples met safety guidelines set by the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Notably:

Pb, Cu, As, and Hg were all below maximum allowable limits

High levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Al suggest excellent mineral density

Be, Sn, Cr, Co, Mo, Hg were all present at trace levels

These findings validate the safety and nutritional value of Cistanche deserticola as a functional food ingredient and nutraceutical component.

3.2 Pharmacological Relevance of Trace Elements

Cistanche deserticola is known for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. These therapeutic benefits are closely linked to its mineral composition, which includes:

Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu – Enzyme cofactors, antioxidant defense

K, Na – Osmoregulation, nutrient transport

B, Mg – Bone health, metabolic balance

3.3 Implications for Sustainable Cultivation and Regional Branding

Given overharvesting and ecological pressures, this study provides a framework for eco-conscious cultivation, geo-authenticated product labeling, and region-specific marketing. The data supports:

Dunhuang and Guazhou as priority sourcing regions

The use of elemental fingerprinting for origin traceability

Informed development of Cistanche-based dietary supplements

4. Conclusion

This study confirms that elemental profiling via ICP-MS and PCA is a powerful tool for evaluating Cistanche deserticola quality. These findings provide:

A scientific foundation for supplement formulation

A traceability mechanism for geo-authenticated sourcing

Guidelines for sustainable production in Gansu's herbal industry