title: Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in medicinal plants sold in Coimbra, Portugal.
abstract: Levels of 14 organochlorine pesticide residues--1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) group (p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDE), HCH isomers (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, alpha-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate--were evaluated in 127 samples of medicinal plants collected in pharmacies (78 samples) and herb stores (49 samples) in 1996. Samples were divided between 15 national brands and 7 foreign brands. Most samples sold in pharmacies contained residues of gamma-HCH (51.3%). All residues were detected in analyzed samples, with exception of endrin in herb store samples. Detection frequency varied between 51.3% for gamma-HCH and 1.3% for endrin in pharmacy samples, and between 34.7% for HCB and 4.1% for endosulfan sulfate in herb store samples. Maximum residue levels were exceeded in 38 (48.7%) pharmacy samples and in 26 (53.1%) medicinal herb store samples.
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bromatology and Hydrology, Portugal.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lino
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Guarda
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Silveira
mesh_terms: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011174:Portugal
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues