Detection and Risk Assessments of Multi-Pesticides in Traditional Chinese Medicine Chuanxiong Rhizoma by LC/MS-MS and GC/MS-MS

Abstract

With the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and the increasing use of herbal medicines around the world, there are concerns over their safety. In recent years, there have been some sporadic reports of pesticide residues in Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CX), although the lack of systematic and comprehensive analyses of pesticide residues and evaluations of toxicological risks in human health has increased the uncertainty of the potential effects of pesticides exposure in humans. This study aimed to clarify the status of pesticide residues and to determine the health risks of pesticide residues in CX. The findings of this study revealed that 99 batches of CX samples contained pesticide residues ranging from 0.05 to 3013.17 μg/kg. Here, 6–22 kinds of pesticides were detected in each sample. Prometryn, carbendazim, dimethomorph, chlorpyrifos, chlorantraniliprole, pyraclostrobin, and paclobutrazol were the most frequently detected pesticides, with detection rates of 68.69–100%. Insecticides and fungicides accounted for 43.23% and 37.84% of the total pesticides detected, respectively. Here, 86.87% of the pesticide content levels were lower than 50 μg/kg, and a small number of samples contained carbofuran, dimethoate, and isofenphos-methyl exceeding the maximum residue levels (MRLs). A risk assessment based on the hazard quotient/hazard index (HQ/HI) approach revealed that the short-term, long-term, and cumulative risks of pesticide residues in CX are well below the levels that may pose a health risk. Worryingly, six banned pesticides (carbofuran, phorate sulfone, phorate-sulfoxide, isofenphos-methyl, terbufos-sulfone, and terbufoxon sulfoxide) were detected. This study has improved our understanding of the potential exposure risk of pesticide multi-residues in CX. The results of the study will have a positive impact on improving the quality and safety of CX and the development of MRLs for pesticide residues.

Chromatographic Method for Monitoring of Pesticide Residues and Risk Assessment for Herbal Decoctions Used in Traditional Korean Medicine Clinics

“…As a result, carbendazim and prometryn were the pesticides the most frequently detected, with a 100% detection rate. Carbendazim was found at 38.92 ± 83.68 µg/kg (0.38−343.55 µg/kg), which exceeded the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard by 20 times [25]. In the study by Xiao, carbendazim was the most widely used pesticide (>85%) [26].…”

“…They detected prochloraz and carbendazim mostly with detection rates of 71.6% and 68.9% in Myrica rubra, and the mean concentration of carbendazim was 0.149 mg/kg (0.0110−1.02 mg/kg) [24]. In Zhang's et al [25] study, 99 Chuanxiong Rhizoma samples were analyzed. As a result, carbendazim and prometryn were the pesticides the most frequently detected, with a 100% detection rate.…”

Research Status in the Use of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) to Detect Pesticide Residues in Foods and Plant-Derived Chinese Herbal Medicines

“…Chinese Herbal Medicines [6]. In an analysis of 99 batches of Chuanxiong samples, the rate of detection of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), chlorobenzamide, and other pesticides was 68.69% [7]. Te rate of detection of pyrethroid pesticides in 40 batches of wolfberry samples from diferent sources was 42.9% [8].…”

Residual Behavior and Dietary Risk Assessment of Chlorfenapyr and Its Metabolites in Radish

“…Moreover, there are few reports on the detection of tralopyril. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ] and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) [ 31 , 32 ] can not only effectively separate and analyze compounds by chromatography, but also effectively qualitatively analyze substances by mass spectrometry. The complementary advantages of chromatography and mass spectrometry can be used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex organic compounds.…”