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Evaluation of the transfer rate of ochratoxin a to decoctions of herbal medicines

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Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin classified as a potentially carcinogenic to humans, is slightly soluble in water. In this study, the transfer rate of OTA in herbal medicines to decoctions was investigated. Herbal medicine decoctions were prepared by boiling and autoclaving herbal medicines contaminated with OTA after soaking and not soaking in water. OTA amounts in decoctions and residues were analyzed using HPLC. Transfer of OTA (12.72–61.33%) from herbal medicines to decoctions was observed. Soaking and autoclaving steps enhanced the transfer rate of OTA to decoctions. The results meant that there is a potential risk for consumption of herbal medicine decoctions. Therefore, regular monitoring for mycotoxins, including OTA, in herbal medicines and proper management to ensure the safety of herbal medicines is necessary to protect consumers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physics and Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 500-712, Korea

    Won-Bo Shim & Min-Gon Kim

  2. Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Busan, 619-705, Korea

    Kwang-Soo Ha

  3. Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 660-701, Korea

    Jeong-Sook Kim & Duck-Hwa Chung

  4. Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 660-701, Korea

    Duck-Hwa Chung

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  1. Won-Bo Shim
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  2. Kwang-Soo Ha
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  3. Min-Gon Kim
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Correspondence to Duck-Hwa Chung.

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Shim, WB., Ha, KS., Kim, MG. et al. Evaluation of the transfer rate of ochratoxin a to decoctions of herbal medicines. Food Sci Biotechnol 23, 2103–2108 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-014-0286-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-014-0286-y

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