Abstract
This study sought to determine the concentration and distribution of arsenic (As) species in Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis), and to assess its edible hazard for long term consumption. The total arsenic concentrations, measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ranged from 4.00 mg/kg to 5.25 mg/kg. As determined by HPLC-ICP-MS, the most concerning arsenic species—AsB, MMAV, DMAV, AsV, and AsШ—were either not detected (MMAV and DMAV) or were detected as minor As species (AsB: 1.4–2.9%; AsV: 1.3–3.2%, and AsШ: 4.1–6.0%). The major components were a cluster of unknown organic As (uAs) compounds with AsШ, which accounted for 91.7–94.0% of the As content. Based on the H2O2 test and the chromatography behavior, it can be inferred that, the uAs might not be toxic organic As. Estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and cancer risk (CR) caused by the total As content; the sum of inorganic As (iAs) and uAs, namely i+uAs; and iAs exposure from long term O. sinensis consumption were calculated and evaluated through equations from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the uncertainties were analyzed by Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS). EDItotal As and EDIi+uAs are approximately ten times more than EDIiAs; HQtotal As and HQi+uAs > 1 while HQiAs < 1; and CRtotal As and CRi+uAs > 1 × 10−4 while CRiAs < 1 × 10−4. Thus, if the uAs is non-toxic, there is no particular risk to local consumers and the carcinogenic risk is acceptable for consumption of O. sinensis because the concentration of toxic iAs is very low.
Highlights
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis), a mysterious entomogenous fungus distributed on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, is popularly referred to as winter-worm-summer-grass (Dong Chong Xia Cao in Chinese) [1,2] (Figure 1)
To further clarify the As speciation in O. sinensis and oral intake hazards in longtime consumption, the present study examined the total As content, including the most concerning As species (AsШ, AsV MMAV, DMAV, and AsB), in O. sinensis using the most commonly applied techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and anion exchange high
To further clarify the As speciation in O. sinensis and oral intake hazards in longtime consumption, the present study examined the total As content, including the most concerning As species (AsIII, AsV MMAV, DMAV, and AsB), in O. sinensis using the most commonly applied techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) [23,24]
Summary
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis), a mysterious entomogenous fungus distributed on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, is popularly referred to as winter-worm-summer-grass (Dong Chong Xia Cao in Chinese) [1,2] (Figure 1). To further clarify the As speciation in O. sinensis and oral intake hazards in longtime consumption, the present study examined the total As content, including the most concerning As species (AsШ, AsV MMAV, DMAV, and AsB), in O. sinensis using the most commonly applied techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and anion exchange high-. To further clarify the As speciation in O. sinensis and oral intake hazards in longtime consumption, the present study examined the total As content, including the most concerning As species (AsIII , AsV MMAV , DMAV , and AsB), in O. sinensis using the most commonly applied techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) [23,24]. These contributions might be useful in efforts to revive the local O. sinensis-dependent economy in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and surrounding countries by providing a comprehensive edible hazard evaluation of O. sinensis
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