Analysis and Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in a Chinese Herbal Medicine, Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Abstract

To understand the residual dynamics of pesticides in Lonicera japonica Thunb. and to propose some specific suggestions for the control of pesticide residues, a method for determining hundreds of pesticide residues simultaneously by single quadrupole gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was established and 60 samples from six major distribution channels in 14 different provinces of China were collected and detected. The risk of pesticides was discussed by calculating the levels of contamination as a percentage of acceptable daily intake (ADI). The method established was suitable for detection of pesticide residues in L. japonica. All of the samples had detectable residues and 38 pesticides were found in total. The %ADI values of detectable pesticides ranged from 6.66 × 10−6 to 3.27% and the risk of major kinds detected was quite low (%ADI value less than 1%) other than omethoate and triadimenol. To control and reduce pollution and to minimize health risks, routine monitoring of pesticides in L. japonica is required especially for those that may contribute to risk the most.