Research progress on pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal materials and pesticide removal methods / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Recently, with the increasing demand of Chinese medicinal materials production, the use of pesticides during cultivation has also increased, which caused seriously pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal materials. At present, pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal materials have resulted in severe impacts on quality, safe usage and export of Chinese medicinal materials. This article reviews the research progress on three major pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal materials over the past ten years, and the data showed that the residual situation of organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides and pyrethroid pesticides in Chinese medicinal materials are still serious, but the research status is not optimistic. Meanwhile, the statistical result from current feasible pesticide removal methods showed that the usage frequency of physical method is higher than that of chemical removal method, in addition, biological methods have not yet popularized in Chinese medicinal materials. Furthermore, different pesticide removal methods were evaluated according to the characteristics of pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal materials and the particularity of each method. As a result, a pesticide removal method by using genetic engineering technology that is green, efficient and environmental friendly was recommended, which won’t destroy the active ingredients of Chinese medicinal materials. The feasible measures to improve pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal materials are prospected in this article.