Monitoring of total ash, acid-insoluble ash and heavy metals content contained in herbal medicines classified by parts used

한약재의 약용부위에 따른 회분, 산불용성회분 및 중금속의 함량을 조사하였다. 시료는 서울지역에서 유통되는 1504건(84품목)의 한약재를 포장단위로 구매하였고, 약용부위에 따라 5종류로 분류하였다. 회분, 산불용성회분의 평균함량(%)은 잎 9.0, 1.1, 줄기표피 6.1, 1.0, 꽃과실씨 5.1, 0.8, 뿌리 4.6, 0.7, 뿌리줄기 4.3, 0.4이었고, 개별중금속(납, 비소, 카드뮴, 수은)의 함량(mg/kg)을 더한 수치의 평균은 잎 1.13 > 줄기표피 1.07 > 뿌리줄기 0.91, 뿌리 0.91 > 꽃과실씨 0.73이었다(p<0.05). 그리고, 전체시료에서 산불용성회분과 개별중금속들의 합은 상관관계(r=0.314)가 있었다(p<0.01). The aim of this study was to investigate of total ash, acid-insoluble ash and heavy metals content contained in commercial herbal medicines classified by parts used. A total of 1504 samples (84 species) purchased from markets in Seoul, are classified by five kinds of plant parts. The mean of total ash and acidinsoluble ash content (%) were as follows; Herba 9.0, 1.1, Caulis and cortex 6.1, 1.0, Flos fructus and semen 5.1, 0.8, Radix 4.6, 0.7 and Rhizoma 4.3, 0.4. The total amount of individual heavy metals content (mg/kg) (Pb, As, Cd and Hg) was high in Herba 1.13 and decreased in the order of Caulis and cortex 1.07, Rhizoma 0.91 and Radix 0.91, and was low in Flos fructus and semen 0.73. In addition, acid-insoluble ash contents was correlated with the total amount of individual heavy metals (r=0.314) (p<0.01).