HPLC–ICP-MS speciation analysis and risk assessment of arsenic in Cordyceps sinensis

Abstract

BackgroundCordyceps sinensis, one of the most valued traditional herbal medicines in China, contains high amount of arsenic. Considering the adverse health effects of arsenic, this is of particular concern. The aim of this study was to determine and analyze arsenic speciation in C. sinensis, and to measure the associated human health risks.MethodsWe used microwave extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine and analyze the arsenic content in C. sinensis, and measured the associated human health risks according to the hazard index (HI), lifetime cancer risk (CR), and target hazard quotient (THQ).ResultsThe main arsenic speciation in C. sinensis were not the four organic arsenic compounds, including dimethyl arsenic, monomethyl arsenic, arsenobetaine, and arsenocholine, but comprised inorganic arsenic and other unknown risk arsenic compounds. HI scores indicated that the risk of C. sinensis was acceptable. CR results suggested that the cancer risk was greater than the acceptable lifetime risk of 10−5, even at low exposure levels. THQ results indicated that at the exposure level < 2.0 months/year, the arsenic was not likely to harm human health during a lifetime; however, if the exposure rate was > 3.0 months/year, the systemic effects of the arsenic in C. sinensis was of great concern.ConclusionThe arsenic in C. sinensis might not be free of risks. The suggested C. sinensis consumption rate of 2.0 months/year provided important insights into the ways by which to minimize potential health risks. Our study not only played the role of “cast a brick to attract jade” by which to analyze arsenic speciation in C. sinensis but also offered a promising strategy of risk assessment for harmful residues in traditional herbal medicines.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13020-018-0178-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Arsenic Species in Cordyceps sinensis and Its Potential Health Risks

“…In previous study, we found that microwave extraction with nitric acid was effective under the control of the acid concentration and temperature (Zuo et al, 2018). After extraction with nitric acid from 0 to 15% (v/v), tAs and species of arsenic were measured respectively.…”

“…The separation of six arsenic species, namely, AsB, As(III), DMA, AsC, MMA, and As(V), was performed using an anion exchange column (DioncxIon Pac™ AS7 Analytical column, 250×4.6 mm, USA) with a gradient mobile phase of [NH 4 ] 2 CO 3 . In this study, we used a previously validated test method (Zuo et al, 2018). The gradient elution using [NH 4 ] 2 CO 3 and water solutions A (100 mmol L -1 ) and B (deionized water) was carried out (Zuo et al, 2018).…”

“…In this study, we used a previously validated test method (Zuo et al, 2018). The gradient elution using [NH 4 ] 2 CO 3 and water solutions A (100 mmol L -1 ) and B (deionized water) was carried out (Zuo et al, 2018). The step-gradient program was as follows: 10% A linearly increasing to 50% A from 0 to 3 min, linearly increasing to 100% A from 3.0 to 4.0 min, remaining at 100% A from 4.0 to 11 min, linearly reduce to 10% A from 11 to 13 min, re-equilibration to the initial concentration of 10% A and 90% B from 13 to 17 min and remaining until completion of the separation run.…”

“…This condition was intense enough to make all species convert to iAs and maximized the health risks of arsenic in C. sinensis . The results showed that there were only iAs in C. sinensis , and As(III) was more abundant than As(V) (Zuo et al, 2018). However, according to the past research, most of the arsenic in biomimetic extraction was not detected (Cao et al, 2015).…”

SiBaoChongCao exhibited anti-fatigue activities and ameliorated cancer cachexia in mice

“…Cordyceps sinensis, also well known as DongChongXiaCao, is a popularly used tonic in traditional Chinese medicine in China and other Asian countries. 1 However, since the use of naturally grown DongChongXiaCao is limited by high amount of heavy metals such as arsenic mainly caused by soil contamination, 2,3 products of edible fungi powder such as fermented Cordyceps fungi are more and more popularly used in China, either as medicines or as functional foods. 4,5 SBCC is a product of Hefei SiBaoChongCao Technology Co. Ltd (Hefei, PR China) and its registration number as a food product in China is QS34011601040.…”