Many Koreans are eating functional health food (FHF) and Korean herbal medicine (KHM) for their health benefit. However, these medicines can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and total mercury (total Hg) because of environmental pollution, which has negatively affected the ecosystem. Likewise, foodstuffs are exposed to environmental pollutants. The objective of this study was to analyse Pb and Cd using ICP-MS and total mercury using direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) in FHF and KHM samples collected directly from 2347 Koreans. The levels of Pb and Cd were analyzed with wet-digestion method using microwave. Samples were screened before analyzing Pb and Cd by ICP-MS. Calibration of standard addition method was made up three points of screened concentration and standard addition. Standard addition method used three points of calibration: high, low and an untreated sample addition. The highest concentration of the standard addition calibrant was set at three times the concentration obtained from the screening analysis. In case of total Hg, it was analyzed by DMA-80. As a results of method validation, limit of detection (LOD) for Pb, Cd total Hg were 0.06, 0.09, 3.57 ng g-1, respectively. And recovery and z score, which was used to assess laboratory performance are evaluated as acceptable results. Mean Pb values in FHF and KHM were 0.146 and 0.349 mg kg-1, respectively. Mean Cd levels in FHF and KHM were 0.035 and 0.056 mg kg-1, respectively. Mean values in Spirulina and yeast products were the highest in the FHF samples (0.940 mg kg-1 for Pb in Spirulina products and 0.115 mg kg-1 for Cd in yeast products). In case of total Hg, The total Hg level of royal jelly products was 159.83 ng g-1 and this was the highest among the FHF.

Lead, cadmium, and total mercury in Korean functional foods and Korean herbal medicines

246th National Meeting (2013)

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