Determination of heavy metals and pesticides in ginseng products. J AOAC Int 2001;84(3):936-9
Date
06/22/2001Pubmed ID
11417656Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0035344907 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 83 CitationsAbstract
Medicinal plants may carry residuals of environmentally persistent pesticides or assimilate heavy metals in varying degrees. Several factors may influence contaminant accumulation, including species, level and duration of contaminant exposure, and topography. As part of a program for assessment of the quality of herbal medicines, we have analyzed 21 over-the-counter ginseng (Panax ginseng) products in various dosage forms. Chromium, mercury, and arsenic were undetectable above their limits of detection in both liquid and solid samples; while cadmium, lead, and nickel were present in the majority of samples. The chlorinated pesticide levels varied widely. In most samples, the total concentration of pesticides was below 100 ppb; while in 5 samples the total concentration exceeded 100 ppb.
Author List
Khan IA, Allgood J, Walker LA, Abourashed EA, Schlenk D, Benson WHAuthor
Ehab A. Abourashed PhD Professor in the School of Pharmacy Administration department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
ArsenicCadmium
Chromium
Environmental Pollutants
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
Insecticides
Lead
Mercury
Metals, Heavy
Nickel
Panax
Pesticides
Plants, Medicinal
Spectrophotometry, Atomic