Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal teas for infants, pregnant or lactating women. (15th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mädge, Inga; Cramer, Luise; Rahaus, Ines; Jerz, Gerold; Winterhalter, Peter; Beuerle, Till
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 187(2015)
• Page Start: 491
• Page End: 498
• Publication Date: 2015-11-15
• Subjects: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids -- HPLC–ESI-MS/MS -- Stable isotope labeled standard -- Herbal tea -- Infants -- Pregnant and lactating women; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.04.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: Herbal teas for babies and pregnant women were analyzed for pyrrolizidine alkaloids. A modified HPLC–ESI-MS/MS PA sum parameter was established. 38 out of 44 teas were analyzed PA positive (86%). PA content ranged from 0 to 391 μg retronecine equivalents/kg product. 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.