Development of radiation indicators to distinguish between irradiated and non-irradiated herbal medicines using HPLC and GC-MS

Abstract

The effects of high dose γ-irradiation on six herbal medicines were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Herbal medicines were irradiated at 0-50 kGy with (60)Co irradiator. HPLC was used to quantify changes of major components including glycyrrhizin, cinnamic acid, poncirin, hesperidin, berberine, and amygdalin in licorice, cinnamon bark, poncirin immature fruit, citrus unshiu peel, coptis rhizome, and apricot kernel. No significant differences were found between gamma-irradiated and non-irradiated samples with regard to the amounts of glycyrrhizin, berberine, and amygdalin. However, the contents of cinnamic acid, poncirin, and hesperidin were increased after irradiation. Volatile compounds were analyzed by GC/MS. The relative proportion of ketone in licorice was diminished after irradiation. The relative amount of hydrocarbons in irradiated cinnamon bark and apricot kernel was higher than that in non-irradiated samples. Therefore, ketone in licorice and hydrocarbons in cinnamon bark and apricot kernel can be considered radiolytic markers. Three unsaturated hydrocarbons, i.e., 1,7,10-hexadecatriene, 6,9-heptadecadiene, and 8-heptadecene, were detected only in apricot kernels irradiated at 25 and 50 kGy. These three hydrocarbons could be used as radiolytic markers to distinguish between irradiated (>25 kGy) and non-irradiated apricot kernels.

Effects of Gamma Radiation on Essential Oils: A Review

“…The total content of sesquiterpenes in irradiated samples was lower than for a nonirradiated sample. The identified volatile components were exactly the same in irradiated and nonirradiated samples of G. glabra [9].…”

“…On the other hand, the content of hydrocarbons in the irradiated samples (average values considering all irradiated materials = 29.9%) increased in relation to the nonirradiated sample (15.79%). Higher content of sesquiterpenes was verified for irradiated samples (average values considering all irradiated materials = 30.0%) in relation to nonirradiated samples (17.0%) [9].…”

“…Higher total content of aldehydes and hydrocarbons was verified for irradiated samples (average values considering all irradiated materials = 11.4 and 42.7%, respectively) in relation to nonirradiated samples (7.56 and 35.98%, respectively). Higher total content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was verified for irradiated samples at 5.0, 10.0, and 25.0 kGy (average values considering irradiated materials = 47.5, 47.5, and 42.5%, respectively) in relation to nonirradiated sample and irradiated sample at 50.0 kGy (35.0% for both the samples) [9].…”

“…Higher content of hydrocarbons was verified for the irradiated samples (average values considering all irradiated materials = 16.8%) in relation to the nonirradiated samples (11.21%). The total content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was higher in the irradiated sample at 25.0 and 50.0 kGy (20.0% for both the samples) in relation to irradiated samples at 5.0 and 10.0 kGy (15.0% for both the samples) and nonirradiated sample (12.5%) [9].…”

“…The total sesquiterpene content in nonirradiated and irradiated samples was near 10.0%. The total monoterpene content was near 4.0% in irradiated and nonirradiated samples, except in the sample irradiated at 50.0 kGy that showed monoterpene content near 8.0% [9].…”