AUTHOR=Li Yaolei , Liu Yue , Han Xiao , Jin Hongyu , Ma Shuangcheng 

TITLE=Arsenic Species in Cordyceps sinensis and Its Potential Health Risks

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.01471

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2019.01471

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>High arsenic residues make <italic>Cordyceps sinensis</italic> a concern in China. Arsenic toxicity is related to its species. Many studies have evaluated the toxicity of total arsenic, but few have studied its species. In this study, the species of arsenic in <italic>C. sinensis</italic> and its potential health risk were investigated. SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS was used to analysis of arsenic in <italic>C. sinensis</italic> and unknown arsenic (uAs) was discovered. Additionally, arsenic in <italic>C. sinensis</italic> was mainly found in alkali-soluble proteins. The trend of arsenic transformation indicated that unknown arsenic in <italic>C. sinensis</italic> may be converted into free inorganic arsenic, which enhanced toxicity. The result of risk assessment indicated that there were potential health risks of uAs. Hereon, we proposed recommendations for the use of <italic>C. sinensis</italic> and regulatory recommendations for arsenic standards. This study contributed to the toxicity reveal, safety evaluation, and risk assessment of arsenic in <italic>C. sinensis</italic>.</p>