Development and validation of an analysis method for pesticide residues by gas chromatography\u2013tandem mass spectrometry in Daikenchuto

Hirokazu Saegusa,Takashi Hamaguchi,Masaru Yoshida,Masaki Takao,Hiroshi Nomura,Yuzo Kodama

doi:10.1007/s11418-020-01473-y

Hirokazu Saegusa, Takashi Hamaguchi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-020-01473-y

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Abstract

Daikenchuto (DKT) is one of the most widely used “Kampo” in Japan as a representative of herbal medicine. Because DKT is made from a natural product like food, it requires the management of pesticides; therefore, an analysis of residual pesticides in Kampo is required. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that pesticide residue analysis by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is required. USP defines 107 compounds containing organochlorine pesticides and organophosphorus pesticides and their metabolites, which have a high residual risk. Accordingly, to guarantee the safety of herbal medicines according to global standards is a very important issue. In this study, we developed an analytical method for 91 compounds, which are listed in USP, using DKT as the subject. The method could extract pesticides from DKT with acetone, elute pesticides with acetonitrile using a SepPak C18 column (5 g) and with ethyl acetate using a DSC-NH2 column (2 g), and perform simultaneous analyses by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). This method, which could quantify 88 compounds, was validated according to USP. A pesticide residue analysis method that meets USP requirements enables the analysis of pesticide residues with a high residue risk and contributes to improving the safety of “Kampo” and other herbal medicines.

Highlights

Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been employed globally for treatments, and some have been systematized and classified as traditional medicines [1]
The purpose of this study is to develop a pretreatment method for 91 U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)-listed compounds that can be analyzed by GC–MS/MS, in DKT
For the extraction method, 20 mL of acetone was utilized for 2 g of DKT [8]

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal plants have been employed globally for treatments, and some have been systematized and classified as traditional medicines [1]. Japanese traditional herbal medicine (Kampo) originated from ancient Chinese medicine before it was introduced in Japan around the fifth century. Thereafter, Kampo has become one of the herbal medicines that have accomplished independent development in the country [2, 3]. Daikenchuto (DKT) is a Kampo that is prepared from three herbal materials, i.e., ginseng, ginger, and Japanese pepper. Daikenchuto has been employed in the improvement of various symptoms of the lower abdominal region, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation [3,4,5].

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