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Berzina Z, Pavlenko R, Bartkiene E, Bartkevics V. Mycotoxins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal dietary supplements. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS. PART B, SURVEILLANCE 2024; 17:180-192. [PMID: 38629617 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2024.2332516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
The market demand for herbal dietary supplements is rapidly growing and such products are becoming more common and accessible to consumers. However, the knowledge about their safety remains incomplete. Herbal dietary supplements are one of the food groups that can contribute significantly to human health concerns arising from chronic exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids and mycotoxins. This study aimed to simultaneously determine 79 natural contaminants, including mycotoxins, as well as pyrrolizidine and tropane alkaloids in herbal dietary supplements in one analytical run. Exposure assessment and human health risks were assessed for all compounds included in this study. The total concentration of naturally occurring contaminants in herbal dietary supplements reached 5.3 mg kg-1 and the most frequently detected mycotoxins were tentoxin and alternariol monomethyl ether. The latter was detected with the highest frequency, reaching concentrations up to 2.5 mg kg-1. The obtained results indicate a potential risk to public health related to herbal dietary supplement consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Berzina
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Romans Pavlenko
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga, Latvia
| | - Elena Bartkiene
- Department of Food Safety and Quality, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Vadims Bartkevics
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
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Akuamoa F, Mulder PPJ, Bovee TFH, Rietjens IMCM, Hoogenboom RLAP. Occurrence and associated health risks of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in supplements marketed in Ghana for improved sexual performance. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS. PART B, SURVEILLANCE 2023; 16:301-309. [PMID: 37448098 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2023.2227961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are noted for their hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects in animals and humans following metabolic activation in the liver. In this study, herbal supplements sold in Ghana for sexual improvement were analysed for the presence of 64 PAs using LC-MS/MS analysis. Up to 17 different PAs were identified in 19 out of the 37 samples analysed. The sum of PAs in samples ranged from 5 to 3204 μg kg-1. Since the PA content in the herbal medicinal preparations was generally lower than in honey samples, their presence was mainly attributed to cross-contamination. The observed levels would result in estimated daily intakes from 0.01 to 12 μg per day or 0.0002 to 0.2 μg kg-1 bw day-1 for a person weighing 70 kg. The margins of exposure ranged from 1200 to 1,400,000 with eight samples showing values below 10,000, thus indicating a health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Akuamoa
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Applied Radiation Biology Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Toine F H Bovee
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivonne M C M Rietjens
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Sousa AC, Ribeiro C, Gonçalves VMF, Pádua I, Leal S. Chromatographic Methods for Detection and Quantification of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Flora, Herbal Medicines, and Food: An Overview. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2023:1-25. [PMID: 37300809 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2218476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural toxins produced by some plants that gained special interest due to their potential hazardous effects in humans and animals. These substances have been found in wild flora, herbal medicines and food products raising health concerns. Recently, maximum concentration levels of PAs were established for some food products; however, maximum daily intake frequently surpasses the upper limit set by the competent authorities posing a health risk. Given the scarcity or absence of occurrence data on PAs in many products, there is an urgent need to measure their levels and establish safety intake levels. Analytical methods have been reported to detect and quantify PAs in different matrices. The commonly used chromatographic methodologies provides accurate and reliable results. Analytical methods include diverse steps as extraction and sample preparation procedures that are critical for sensitivity and selectivity of the analytical method. Great efforts have been directed toward optimization of extraction procedures, clean up and chromatographic conditions to improve recovery, reduce matrix effects, and achieve low limits of detection and quantification. Therefore, this paper aims to give a general overview about the occurrence of PAs in flora, herbal medicines, and foodstuff; and discuss the different chromatographic methodologies used for PAs analysis, namely extraction and sample preparation procedures and chromatographic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Sousa
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Virgínia M F Gonçalves
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
- UNIPRO - Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Inês Pádua
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
- Epidemiology Unit - Institute of Public Health of University of Porto (ISPUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Leal
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
- CINTESIS-RISE, MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Li AP, Shi YP. Effect of Adulteration on Quality and Preliminary Risk Assessment of the Decoction Pieces of Farfarae Flos Based on the Determination of Hepatotoxic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids by UHPLC-MS/MS. J AOAC Int 2022; 106:192-204. [PMID: 35866688 DOI: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Farfarae Flos (FF) is a frequently used traditional herbal medicine with outstanding antitussive actions. The adulteration of FF decoction pieces is common. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to study the effect of adulteration on the safety and quality of FF decoction pieces. METHODS The proportion of impurities was conducted by cone quartering method. A simple and accurate ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was established to simultaneous determinate three pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) as endogenous toxic compounds in FF. The traditional medicinal parts (flower bud), impurities (pedicel and rhizome) and unselected samples were determined respectively. The values of estimated daily intake (EDI) and margin of exposure (MOE) were used for risk assessment. RESULTS Twenty batches of samples were collected from different habitats, and the proportion of impurities ranged from 17.51% to 41.27%. Pedicel and rhizome were the main impurities, accounting for more than 87.40% of the total impurities. The content of PAs in impurities was significantly higher. The EDI value range was 5.34 to 16.59 μg/kg bw/day, which was much higher than the standard safety value of 7.00 × 10-3 μg/kg bw/day. The MOE values ranges for life long time and shorter exposure were 14.29 to 44.37 and 371.53 to 1153.63, respectively, indicating that at least 80% of the samples had safety risks. Correlation analysis showed that the proportion of adulterated impurities had significant correlation with the values of EDI and MOE. CONCLUSIONS Adulteration of non medicinal parts may significantly increase the risk of medications of FF decoction pieces. HIGHLIGHTS This study provides an efficient methodology reference for the control of PAs and a basis for adulteration to affect the safety and quality of FF decoction pieces.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Ping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 18 Tianshui Middle Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.,Gansu Institute for Drug Control, Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Chinese Medicinal Materials and Decoction Pieces, National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Lanzhou 730000, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yan-Ping Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 18 Tianshui Middle Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
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Kong D, Wang G, Tang Y, Guo M, Ul Haq Khan Z, Guo Y, Gu W, Ma Y, Sui M, Li J, Yang M. Potential health risk of areca nut consumption: Hazardous effect of toxic alkaloids and aflatoxins on human digestive system. Food Res Int 2022; 162:112012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Han H, Jiang C, Wang C, Wang Z, Chai Y, Zhang X, Liu X, Lu C, Chen H. Development, optimization, validation and application of ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides in teas and weeds. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Suparmi S, Wahidin D, Rietjens IMCM. Risk characterisation of constituents present in jamu to promote its safe use. Crit Rev Toxicol 2021; 51:183-191. [PMID: 34032188 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2021.1912708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Safety in use of jamu consumption, as part of traditional medicine from Indonesia, is dependent on the complete and adequate assessment of potential hazards and risks of the botanicals and botanical constituents included. This includes especially hazards and risks related to the presence in jamu of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) as well as of constituents that are genotoxic and carcinogenic. The present review presents an overview of the current state-of-the art on these hazards and risks based on case reports on adulteration, and the actual detection of genotoxic and carcinogenic ingredients of concern in jamu. Based on the overview thus obtained, it appears that drug-adulteration presents important hazards responsible for potential adverse effects, due to overdosing. The potential hazards of exposure to APIs mainly relate to the presence of constituents that may cause liver damage, renal impairment, kidney failure, steroid dependence or genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. For these APIs, a risk characterisation was performed based on comparison of health-based guidance values (HBGVs) and exposure, while for the genotoxic carcinogens the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was used. Results of this risk characterisation should be used by risk managers to impose specification for constituents of health concern to protect consumers. It is concluded that to manage the risks identified and further improve the safety in use of jamu, a collaboration between farmers, manufacturer/producers, academia, government, health professionals, and consumers is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suparmi Suparmi
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Dasep Wahidin
- Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan RI, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ivonne M C M Rietjens
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Zhang Y, Yang FF, Chen H, Qi YD, Si JY, Wu Q, Liao YH. Analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. and their in vitro neurotoxicity. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 151:112151. [PMID: 33774095 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study was to analyze the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Eupatorium fortunei herbs and its derived finished products with a view to evaluating their effects on the proliferation and oligodendrogenesis of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Using a LC-MS/MS method with 32 PAs reference standards, 8 PAs including intermedine, intermedine N-oxide, lycopsamine, lycopsamine N-oxide, retronecine, seneciphylline and senkirkine and 7-acetylintermedine N-oxide were identified with intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide being most abundant. The total PA amounts were found to vary from 0.18 to 61.81 μg/g in 30 batches of herbs and from 0.86 to 36.96 μg/g in 4 commercial finished products, respectively. Risk assessments indicated that the short-term intake seemed unlikely lead to acute toxic effects but the chronic use warranted cautions. Using NPCs derived from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells as an in vitro testing model, intermedine, intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide appeared to decrease cell viability at 30 μM whereas intermedine N-oxide inhibited oligodendrogenesis of NPCs at 10 μM. The present results suggested that the PAs in the majority of E. fortunei herbs and the derived products not only resulted in their exposure far exceeding the acceptable intake limit (i. e. 1.0 μg PA per day for adults) in herbal medicinal products recommended by the European Medicines Agency but also induced neurotoxicity to NPCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangguang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, 102488, PR China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Fei-Fei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Huan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Yao-Dong Qi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Jian-Yong Si
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Qing Wu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangguang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, 102488, PR China.
| | - Yong-Hong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151 Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
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Wang J, Zhang M, Chen L, Qiao Y, Ma S, Sun D, Si J, Liao Y. Determination of Toxic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines by UPLC-MS/MS and Accompanying Risk Assessment for Human Health. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061648. [PMID: 33809536 PMCID: PMC8000276 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a class of natural toxins with hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. They are endogenous and adulterated toxic components widely found in food and herbal products. In this study, a sensitive and efficient ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was used to detect the PAs in 386 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of 0.007 μg/kg body weight (bw)/day was adopted as the safety baseline. The margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied to evaluate the chronic exposure risk for the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of PAs. Results showed that PAs was detected in 271 out of 386 samples with a content of 0.1–25,567.4 μg/kg, and there were 20 samples with EDI values above the baseline, 0.007 μg/kg bw/day. Beyond that, the MOE values for 10 out of 271 positive samples were below 10,000. Considering the actual situation, Haber’s rule was used to assume two weeks exposure every year during lifetime, and still the MOE values for four out of 271 positive samples were under 10,000, indicating these products may have potential health risk. The developed method was successfully applied to detect the PAs-containing Chinese herbal medicines. This study provides convincing data that can support risk management actions in China and a meaningful reference for the rational and safe use of Chinese herbal medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Meng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Lihua Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yue Qiao
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Siqi Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Dian Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Jianyong Si
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-10-5783-3299 (J.S.); +86-10-5783-3268 (Y.L.)
| | - Yonghong Liao
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China; (J.W.); (M.Z.); (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: (J.S.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-10-5783-3299 (J.S.); +86-10-5783-3268 (Y.L.)
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He Y, Zhu L, Ma J, Wong L, Zhao Z, Ye Y, Fu PP, Lin G. Comprehensive investigation and risk study on pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in Chinese retail honey. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115542. [PMID: 33254676 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are common phytotoxins. We performed the first comprehensive investigation on PA contamination in Chinese honeys. LC-MS analysis revealed that 58% of 255 honey samples purchased from 17 regions across Mainland China and Taiwan contained PAs with total content ranging over 0.2-281.1 μg/kg. Monocrotaline (from Crotalaria spp), a PA never found in honey in other regions, together with echimidine (Echium plantagineum) and lycopsamine (from Senecio spp.), were three predominant PAs in PA-contaminated Chinese honeys. Further, PAs present in honeys were found to have geographically distinct pattern, indicating possible control of such contamination in future honey production. Moreover, we proposed a new risk estimation approach, which considered both content and toxic potency of individual PAs in honeys, and found that 12% of the PA-contaminated Chinese honeys tested might pose potential health risk. This study revealed a high prevalence and potential health risk of PA contamination in Chinese honeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Jiang Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Lailai Wong
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhongzhen Zhao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Ye
- Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Peter P Fu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079, United States
| | - Ge Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Laboratory for Promoting Globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicines between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
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Abstract
AbstractPyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and PA-N-oxides (PANO) are a group of more than 660 secondary plant metabolites with hepatotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in animals and humans. The phytotoxins can enter the food chain by transfer of PA/PANO between plants via the soil, unintended co-harvesting of PA/PANO-producing weeds, as well as by honeybees collecting pollen and nectar of these plants. Thus, bee- and plant-based products, e.g. (herbal) teas, spices and culinary herbs were identified to be a main source of consumers’ exposure to PA/PANO. Consequently, food supplements based on those ingredients may as well be contaminated with PA/PANO, but so far there are only very few studies available on this topic. Therefore, the current study investigated 50 herbal and bee product-based food supplements available in German retail pharmacies, drugstores, and online on the occurrence of 44 PA/PANO. In total, 19 samples contained PA/PANO with sum contents ranging from 0.1 to 105.1 ng/g in solid samples and from 0.03 to 2.20 ng/mL in liquid preparations. Considering the recommended daily consumption, the sum contents were of no or little concern for the health risk of adults, whereas in case of children the contents of singular samples could significantly contribute to the overall PA/PANO exposure.
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