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Review
. 2020 Mar 14;12(3):182.
doi: 10.3390/toxins12030182.

Mycotoxin Contamination Concerns of Herbs and Medicinal Plants

Iwona Ałtyn  1 , Magdalena Twarużek  1
Affiliations
Review

Mycotoxin Contamination Concerns of Herbs and Medicinal Plants

Iwona Ałtyn et al. Toxins (Basel). .

Abstract

Plants and medicinal herbs that are available on the market do not always meet quality and safety standards. One particular concern is the risk of contamination with mycotoxins. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A are the most frequently described mycotoxins in herbal products and have repeatedly been reported to occur at concentrations which exceed regulatory levels set by the European Union (EU). Possible solutions include enforcing existing limits, and for the new materials, establishing tighter limits and mandate the growth of medicinal plants in EU member countries under more strict conditions.

Keywords: chamomile; contamination; ginger; ginseng; herbs; liquorice; medicinal plants; milk thistle; mint; mycotoxins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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