• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.257-266
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The hazardous metals content of medicinal herbs distributed in the Daegu area was investigated, and the place of origin and the content of herbicides and medicinal components were studied. Methods: An analysis of hazardous metals content (10 types) was carried out on 164 samples of 99 types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 45 were domestic and 119 were imported. Hg was analyzed by the amalgamation method. Other hazardous metals content (nine types) was digested using the microwave method and measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results: The mean values of the hazardous metals content in the herbal medicines were Pb 1.0833 mg/kg, As 0.0136 mg/kg, Cd 0.0840 mg/kg, Cr 3.7120 mg/kg, Cu 4.2666 mg/kg, Mn 40.080 mg/kg, Ni 1.4330 mg/kg, Sb 0.1053 mg/kg, Al 202.64 mg/kg and Hg 0.0062 mg/kg. Three of the samples violated the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) regulatory guidance on cadmium (less than 0.3 mg/kg). The measured values of heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) showed levels below the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic and two imported samples surpassed the maximum residue limits for cadmium. The median values of the hazardous metals detected in the three medicinal parts of the root, leaf (branch), and flower (seed and fruit) were as follows. Cr, Ni, Sb and Al were highly detected in roots, Pb, Cd, Mn, Hg in leafs (branch), and As, Cu in flowers (seed and fruit). Conclusion: There were various kinds of hazardous metals which were detected at high levels according to the place of origin of the medicinal herb and the parts the plant. For hazardous metals for which no acceptance criteria have been established, safety standards should be further studied and managed to ensure the safety of herbal medicines.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.380-384
• /
• 2003

Optimal extraction, separation and capillary rinsing conditions for capillary electrophoresis (CE) were established to discriminate the geographical origin of ligusticum root (Ligusticum wallichii) using 113 samples (domestic sample n = 62, foreign sample n = 51). Ligusticum root was extracted with 30% ethanol and separated on a uncoated fused-silica $(50\;{\mu}m{\times}27\;cm)$ capillary. Conditions for optimal analysis include: temperature, $40^{\circ}C$; voltage, 10 kV; and pressure injection time, domestic and foreign samples were 5 sec and 2 sec, respectively. The optimal separation buffer was 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) containing 15 mM iminodiacetic acid with 40% methanol. Under the optimal conditions established for CE, the ratio of specific peak area (peak LW-1) to other peak area (peak LW-5) was effective in discrimination geographical origin of ligusticum root. The mean accuracy for correct discrimination of geographical origin of domestic and foreign ligusticum roots were 65% and 63%, respectively.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.421-447
• /
• 2014

Traditional medicine has been integrated into the national health system in many countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan, etc. Korea and China are most representative among them. The purpose of this study is to compare the policies on traditional medicine in Korea and China focusing on where it came from and where it is headed. In this regard, the study suggested the first analysis tool in the world for analyzing the policy of traditional medicine. The results of the study are as follows: First of all, the development process of Korean Medicine (KM) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shows the same pattern, that is, both are influenced by its own national policies. Secondly, the difference between the two countries is due to the gap in the development status or the different aspects in national heath system. TCM is more vitalized in health system and has larger category, and stays ahead in globalization compared to KM. TCM covers Chinese medicine, integrative medicine and ethno-medicine. Korea emphasizes the role of KM in the declining birthrate and aging society, and promotes the overseas patient invitation strategy. China, on the other hand, establishes the medical system for emergency medical treatment and preventive treatment of major diseases and promotes overseas expansion of TCM service. In addition, Korea stressed the safety and distribution of herbal medicine, and China emphasizes production technologies. Korea has a strong medical device industry along with the government's fostering policy; however, in China, medical devices are in the R&D stage yet. Even though both countries promotes the drug development from natural products, Korea focuses on developing herbal cosmetics in application industry, but China shows weakness in policies on application industry. China shores up the foundation for culture and theory of traditional medicine, while Korea doesn't have related policy. Korea places emphasis on promoting collaboration with international organizations and medical volunteer programs, whereas China is more interested in mutual cooperation and real trade with other countries.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.531-535
• /
• 2016

Phlomis umbrosa and Dipsacus asperoides are distinct species, even though they have a similar appearance. Dipsacus asperoides is used as a Chinese medicinal plant for and has bone strengthening and fracture healing but Phlomis umbrosa has no effect on bone growth. Recently, these plants were used in children's food to improve their bone growth, without distinction in food. Intakes of Dipsacus asperoides in food may be dangerous, because it has never been used in food and its safety has never been tested in humans. We developed liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method to distinguish these plants in food. The method was validated for linearity, limits of detection, limits of quantification, accuracy and precision. In 5 of 17 samples, we identified Dipsacus asperoides, containing loganin $0.19-14.45{\mu}g/mL$, sweroside $0.13-4.61{\mu}g/mL$ and akebia saponin D $0.59-19.29{\mu}g/mL$. The developed method might be useful to identify Dipsacus asperoides in adulterated food.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2020

The objective of this study was to develop a fast and accurate method of variety discrimination and geographical discrimination origin of Korean angelica (Korean variety, Angelica gigas Nakai) by using TDU-GC/MS. Two peaks of decursin and decursinol, which are coumarin derivatives were identified in the range of Total Ion Chromatogram (TIC) RT 26.9-27.2 of the Korean angelica by GC/MS analysis at the time of condensation in a refrigerated condensation system after thermal desorption of sample extracts. In case of Chinese angelica (Chinese variety), ligustilide peak was detected at the RT 17.2. In order to investigate the difference of volatile components according to the geographical origin of Korean variety, the mass spectra were measured by TDU-GC/MS at the range of m/z 40-400 amu. The TIC of domestic cultivation and Chinese cultivation of the Korean variety, Angelica gigas Nakai showed the same tendency as a whole. However, in partial scans of TIC, two peaks detected at 15.54 and 16.05 of RT showed different peak patterns between Korean angelica (Korean variety) cultivated in Korea and in China. The ratio of Peak A (RT 15.54) and B (RT 16.05) was 0.0-0.2 for domestic cultivation and 0.5-2.8 for Chinese cultivation, confirming the possibility of discriminating origin by comparing the TIC peak pattern of TDU-GC/MS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.1039-1044
• /
• 2007

We investigated the residual contents of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) on the 280 kinds of herbal medicines distributed at 8 cities including in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Jecheon, Yeongju, Geumsan and Jeonju in Korea. The residual contents of $SO_2$ were determinated by modified Monier-Williams method. The residual contents of $SO_2$ were not detected at 206 products in total 280 products. However, it was detected below 100 ppm in 39 products, between 101 and 1000 ppm in 30 products and exceeded 1000 ppm in 5 products. $SO_2$ contents ranged 11 ${\sim}$ 2339 mg/kg (mean 293 mg/kg) at domestic samples distributed. Regardless of region, $SO_2$ contents were not found at Notopterygii Rhizoma, Ligustici Scinensis Rhizoma et Radix, Bombyx Batryticatus, Coicis Semen, Cnidii Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma. But it's found at Batatatis Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix and Codonopsitis Radix of every region collected the samples. $SO_2$ contents were not detected at 58 products which collected cultural fields of dometic. After treated with water wash and hot water extraction, the reduction rates of sulfur dioxide were appeared with 14.3% ${\sim}$ 40.4% and 55.2% ${\sim}$ 100.0%, respectively. These data will be used to establish a criteron of residual sulfur dioxide in herbal medicines.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.80-87
• /
• 2023

Rancidity changes were examined for 6 herbal medicines, namely Persicae Semen, Armeniacae Semen, Lini Semen, Trichosanthis Semen, Arecae Semen, Myristicae Semen known to have relatively high fat content. In order to reduce rancidity of herbal medicines, samples were stored at 3 different conditions of room, refrigerating and freezing temperatures, and the rancidity was measured for 10 months with every 2 month interval. Fat content was extracted by using ethyl ether, and acid values and peroxide values, which are generally accepted indicators of fat rancidity, were measured. When storing Persicae Semen, Lini Semen and Arecae Semen at room temperature, the acid values increased as the storage period increased, and it was higher than when stored in refrigeration or freezing. The measurement of peroxide value showed more significantly higher initial degree of rancidity when Persicae Semen, Trichosanthis Semen, Arecae Semen and Myristicae Semen were stored at room temperature. It was observed that storing herbal medicines in refrigeration or freezing inhibited their rancidity compared to storing them at room temperature. To investigate the quality changes according to rancidity, the analysis of aflatoxins and indicator components showed that aflatoxins B₁ and B₂ were detected in Armeniacae Semen, Arecae Semen and Myristicae Semen, and the amount of amygdalin was well maintained within the specification standard.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.7
• /
• pp.1038-1048
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg) in 52 commercial herbal pills used as general processed food, to identify weekly heavy metal intakes from herbal pills and to evaluate their potential health risks. The samples were digested with a microwave and determinations of heavy metal residues were carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and mercury analyzer. The mean values of heavy metal contents for herbal pills used as general processed food were Pb 0.421 (0.032~1.630), Cd 0.157 (0.011~0.515), Cr 1.033 (0.112~9.933), Cu 6.923 (1.333~16.755), Hg 0.010 (0.001~0.088) mg/kg. Lead contents of herba and cadmium of algae, herba were high (ANOVA-test, p<0.05). Levels of cadmium concentrations exceeding WHO reference values (0.3 mg/kg) were observed in 10 samples (4 species). The significant correlation was observed between Pb and Cd (r=0.633, p<0.01). The weekly intakes of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg from herbal pills were 1.112 (0.072~5.088), 1.614 (0.029~9.257), 3.000 (0.252~23.690), 0.182 (0.008~1.235), 0.220 (0.000~0.420)%, respectively, as compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) established by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for food safety evaluation. Our data suggest regulations limiting heavy metals in herbal pills used as general processed food.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.424-434
• /
• 2011

The increase in the consumption of herb medicines have made their use a public health problem due to the potential fungal contamination and the risk of the presence of my cot ox ins. 360 samples of herb medicines were evaluated for the aflatoxin contamination. The natural occurrence of aflatoxins in these samples were determined using immunoaffinity column clean up and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post-column derivatization. For samples analyzed, mean levels (incidence) of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 in positive samples were $1.4\;{\mu}g/kg$(46.4%), $0.4\;{\mu}g/kg$(25.4%), $1.1\;{\mu}g/kg$(37.8%) and $0.9\;{\mu}g/kg$(24.3%), respectively. Recoveries of the full analytical procedure were 71.7~99.7% for AFB1, 88.1~99.2% for AFB2, 82.8~95.5% for AFG1 and 77.9~90.0% for AFG2. The excess cancer risk estimated using the cancer potency of aflatoxin B1 (7 $(mg/kg/day)^{-1}$ for $HBsAg^-$ and 230 $(mg/kg/day)^{-1}$ for $HBsAg^+$) were $1.30{\times}10^{-5}{\sim}1.22{\times}10^{-7}$ for hepatits B surface antigen negative ($HBsAg^-$) and $3.31{\times}10^{-4}{\sim}3.12{\times}10^{-6}$ for hepatits B surface antigen positive ($HBsAg^+$) respectively. In conclusion, although the contamination levels of samples used in the study were low, further actions are also required to undertake a program of herbal surveys in order to access mycotoxin contamination overall so that the safety of public will be protected.

• the MEAT Journal
• /
• s.36 summer
• /
• pp.41-60
• /
• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics of brands pork: a crossbred between Korean native and wild pigs (Y), a commercial LYD breed fed with probiotics (J), and a commercial LYD fea without probiotics (M). The moisture and crude ash content of Y treated pork was higher than those for J and M brands, but the crude fat content of J pork was significantly lower (p<0.05) than Y and M brands. The moisture and crude fat contents of Y gilts were higher (p<0.05) than those of barrows. The pH values of Y gilts were higher (p<0.05) than those of gilts of J and M brands. The Land W values of Y pork were lower (p<0.05) than with J and M brands. The springiness value of J pork was significantly higher (p<0.05) than Y and M porks. The sensory scores of Y pork were higher than pork of J and M. The juiciness of gilts of M brands was higher (p<0.05) than for barrows. With regard to the fatty acid profiles among the pork loins, linoleic and arachidonic acid contents of Y pork were higher than with J and M, while the palmitic, pamitoleic, stearic, and oleic acid contents were lower. The saturated fatty acid (SFA) content of Y pork was lower than that for J and M ones, while the unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), essential fatty acids (FFA), USF/ASF A ratio, FFA/SFA ratio, and EFA/USFA ratio were higher. The stearic acid content of M barrows was higher (p<0.05) than that for gilts.