PESTlClDES, RADIATION AND HEAVY METALS RESIDUES IN MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS AND SOME HERBAL PREPARATIONS IN THE EGYPTIAN MARKET

Abstract

Fourty samples of medicinal and aromatic plants as well as herbal mixtures collected from the Egyptian market were analyzed for pesticide residues, heavy metals and radioactivity. I. Pesticides analysis was carried out for the detection and determination

of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues using gas chromatographic analysis. II. Quantitative analysis of metals: zinc, iron, copper, manganese as well

as lead and cadmium as toxic metals was carried out using Atomic

Absorption Spectrophotometry.

III. RadJ.OactJ.vJ. ty measurement:

channel analyzer.

1341137cs, was carr1.ed

out us.mg sm.

g1e

Samples under investigation were classified according to the part used into seven groups, viz, fruits, leaves, flowers, seeds, roots and rhizomes, barks and herbs, and herbal mixtures.

Part 1: Analysis of Organochlorine and Organophosphrous

Pesticide Residues.

a- Fruit samples:

Dimethoate was detected m high levels in caraway, celery, dill and fennel, while being lower and within the allowable limit (0.5 mg/kg) in coriander, anise, Ammi majus, cumin, Ammi visnaga, and not detectable in parsely and black pepper. Pirimiphos-methyl and malathion were of low levels to undetectable. However, profenofos was detected in levels higher than the permissible levels (0.2 mglkg) in caraway, anise, fennel, coriander, dill, black pepper, Ammi visnaga, and Ammi majus, and in a low level in cumin, celery and parsely.