Abstract
The arsenic accumulation in rhizomes of Zingiberaceous plants was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry interfaced with hydride generation system (HG-AAS). The raw herbal materials, rhizomes, were collected from different regions of Thailand between December 2011 and January 2012. Six well-known Zingiberaceous plants, 16 samples from each and a total of 96 samples, were analyzed Alpinia galanga (Khaa), Boesenbergia rotunda (Kra-chaai), Curcuma longa (Khamin-chan), Curcuma zedoaria (Khamin-oi), Zingiber cassumunar (Plai) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger). Concentrations of total arsenic based on dry weight were 92.4 ± 9.2, 103.5 ± 20.8, 61.7 ± 12.5, 89.8 ± 17.5, 106.7 ± 19.5 and 69.3 ± 11.8 ng/g, respectively and inorganic arsenic were 48.8 ± 7.0, 66.3 ± 12.7, 25.5 ± 5.0, 38.7 ± 4.7, 71.2 ± 11.6, and 38.5 ± 5.5 ng/g, respectively. Among these, Plai and Kra-chaai exhibited the highest levels of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic accumulation that remind consumers to be aware of excess consuming of these rhizomes. On the contrary, the lowest value found in Khamin-chan indicating natural dietary supplements and herbal medicines comprising Kamin-chan are safe from arsenic poison. All investigated amounts of total and inorganic arsenic were much lower than limits recommended by Thai Food and Drug Administration.
Highlights
Zingiberaceae, one of the largest families of the plant kingdom, is an important natural resource that provides many useful food products, spices, and traditional medicines to treat a variety of diseases [1, 2]
Concentrations of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic found in Standard reference material (SRM) 1568a were 283 ± 34 ng/g (n = 10, reference value of 290 ± 30 ng/g) and 102 ± 3.7 ng/g (n = 10), respectively [26]
The concentration of inorganic arsenic was in agreement with previous reports of 111 ± 6 ng/g [25] and 111 ± 3 ng/g [28], which was analyzed by the same method
Summary
Zingiberaceae, one of the largest families of the plant kingdom, is an important natural resource that provides many useful food products, spices, and traditional medicines to treat a variety of diseases [1, 2]. The arsenic contamination of herbs may be due to environmental pollution [4]. Arsenic is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust and present at an average concentration of 2 mg/kg. Previous studies have indicated that ingested inorganic arsenic is strongly associated with a wide spectrum of adverse health outcomes, primary cancers, and other chronic diseases [9]. The primary route of arsenic exposure for the general population is via ingestion. The daily intake of total arsenic from food and beverages is generally in the range of 20–300 μg/day [10].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
