Back to Search
Start Over
Less SO2 residue may not indicate higher quality, better efficacy and weaker toxicity of sulfur-fumigated herbs: Ginseng, a pilot study.
- Source :
-
Journal of Hazardous Materials . Feb2019, Vol. 364, p376-387. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Highlights • SO 2 content and quality/efficacy/toxicity of sulfur-fumigated ginseng were examined. • SO 2 content did not necessarily correlate with the quality, efficacy and toxicity. • SO 2 content cannot characterize the quality, efficacy and toxicity variations. • SO 2 content alone may be inadequate for quality control of sulfur-fumigated herbs. • Other indicators that can exactly reflect herbal efficacy and safety are necessary. Abstract Sulfur dioxide (SO 2) is a hazardous residue in sulfur-fumigated herbs. Standards limiting SO 2 content have been adopted worldwide for quality control of sulfur-fumigated herbs, and herbs with less SO 2 are believed to be better. However, the standards are based only on the safe dose of SO 2 and may not characterize changes in herbal quality, thereby the efficacy and toxicity, resulting from sulfur fumigation. To confirm this, here the correlation of residual SO 2 content with the quality/efficacy/toxicity of sulfur-fumigated herb was investigated, and ginseng was selected as a pilot study object. Four sulfur-fumigated ginseng samples with different SO 2 contents were systemically compared regarding their quality, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock and anti-stress efficacies, as well as acute and chronic toxicities. The results demonstrated that the SO 2 content did not correlate with the quality, efficacy and toxicity changes of ginseng; more specifically, less SO 2 residue did not indicate higher quality, better efficacy nor weaker toxicity. This fact suggests that SO 2 content cannot characterize the variations in quality, efficacy and toxicity of sulfur-fumigated herbs. Therefore, the standard limiting SO 2 content alone may be inadequate for quality control of sulfur-fumigated herbs, and new standards including other indicators that can exactly reflect herbal efficacy and safety are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03043894
- Volume :
- 364
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Hazardous Materials
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 133092641
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.10.038