ABSTRACT
Traditional Chinese herbs are readily contaminated by mold that produced mycotoxins which are closly related to the herbs' external factors and external environments during the storage process. In this study, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was used as example, and the characteristics of traits, water content, active components (naringin, hesperidin, sinensetin, naringin, tangeretin) and the accumulation of aflatoxins (AFs) were selected as the evaluation indexes. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was stored under different environments and packaging materials for 12 months, and then the quality changes and mildew of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were examined. The results showed that the color of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was deepened after storage, but without mildew phenomenon. Besides, the sample storage in kraft paper and woven bags had varying degrees of moth phenomenon after 12 months storage, and the water content exceeded the limit of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In addition, the contents of the five active constituents obviously decreased, especially for hesperidin, which did not meet the pharmacopoeia standard after storage. AFs were not detected in any of the tested samples. According to the results, we conclude that low temperature and humidity environment is more suitable for the storage of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, and that packaging materials should be further investigated. This study is of great significance for preventing the mold to contaminate the traditional Chinese medicine and ensuring the quality, effectiveness and safety of TCMs.
ABSTRACT
Menthae Haplocalycis Herba has been widely applied in such fields as food, cosmetics, daily necessities, medicine and health, due to its unique efficacy. However, as the safety of traditional Chinese medicines has been of increasing concern, the quality issue of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba and its decoction slices has become a key obstructive factor for exports. This article focused on the control over Menthae Haplocalycis Herba's adulterants, exogenous hazardous residues and internal properties (chemical compositions, spectrum effect relationship). Moreover, current studies on the quality of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba and its decoction slices, as well as the existing problems in recent years were systematically summarized in the expectation of improving the means of quality control of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba and its decoction slices, enhancing its quality standards, and ensuring the use safety and effectiveness.