Rückstände und Verunreinigungen bei Drogen und Drogenzubereitungen

Abstract

Methods for the determination of insecticidal, herbicidal and fungicidal residues, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) and ethylene oxide are described which are reliable in practice and are accurate. An easily reproducible microbiological procedure is also explained. Of 2654 drug samples tested, 696 (=31%) did not comply with the HMVO (Regulation of Maximum Residues) for foods.

Also, using the foods standard for limit of heavy metal residues of the ZEBS (Central Office for the Registration and Valuation of Environmental Chemicals), 56.7% of the 342 drugs examined did not meet the LMBG (Food Law).

Preparations from medicinal plants normally contained only 1/5th to 1/3rd of the residues present in the crude drugs themselves and in no case the ADI - values were exceeded.

If ethylene oxide is carefully handled, it is still the best substance for drug disinfection and vermin destruction.

In assessing the microbiological state of a sample, greater importance should be attached to the absence of pathological microorganisms and total bacterial counts of about 5 × 10⁶ do not mean lack of hygienic precautions.

The situation regarding residues, which is not worse than in foods, can undoubtedly be only improved by precise long-term cultivation and drug treatment procedures.

Key Word Index

Residues and impurities in medicinal plants and drug preparations - Residues of pesticides and heavy metals in medicinal plants - Residues of storage pesticides - Microbial contamination of medicinal plants