Volume 187, 15 November 2015, Pages 491–498
Analytical Methods
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas for infants, pregnant or lactating women
Highlights
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- Herbal teas for babies and pregnant women were analyzed for pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
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- A modified HPLC–ESI-MS/MS PA sum parameter was established.
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- 38 out of 44 teas were analyzed PA positive (86%).
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- PA content ranged from 0 to 391 μg retronecine equivalents/kg product.
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- Discussion of the results in the view of the current situation of PA in food.
Abstract
A
general contamination of tea with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) has just
become known. Here, we report the application and modification of a new
HPLC–ESI-MS/MS sum parameter method to quantitate PA content of herbal
teas intended for infants, pregnant and lactating women. Using p-toluenesulfonyl
isocyanate for derivatization and a stable isotope labeled internal
standard, the total retronecine-/heliotridine-type PA content of the
samples is expressed in form of a single sum parameter (retronecine
equivalents: RE). The new methods were applied to analyze 44 tea samples
for such consumer groups. Thirty eight products (86%) were tested PA
positive showing PA concentrations ranging from 0 to 391 μg RE/kg
(average: 50 μg RE/kg). The dataset is discussed in the view of the
current discussion on PA in the food chain with special focus on those
particular vulnerable consumer groups.
Keywords
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids;
- HPLC–ESI-MS/MS;
- Stable isotope labeled standard;
- Herbal tea;
- Infants;
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+49 531 391 5690; fax: +49 531 391 8104.
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