Speciation Analysis of Arsenic in Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets

Objective The contents of total arsenic、soluble arsenic、 soluble As(Ⅲ) and As(Ⅴ) in Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets were analyzed,in order to evaluate the safety of Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets.Methods Total arsenic in Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets was determined by Atomic fluorescence spectrometry(AFS) with microwave digestion.Soluble arsenic was determined by AFS after 50% Methanol extract treatment.Two kinds of soluble arsenic species As(Ⅲ) and As(Ⅴ) were separated by ion-exchange resin and assayed by AFS.Results The contents of total arsenic in the three Niuhuang Jiedu Tablet products were in the range of 65.72～75.79 g/kg.The percentage of soluble arsenic to total arsenic was between 0.43% ~ 1.23%,in which soluble arsenic(Ⅲ) contents were in the range of 0.19～0.55 g/kg and soluble Arsenic(Ⅴ) contents were in the range of 0.09～0.44 g/kg.Conclusion Soluble Arsenic and its valence in the two kinds of arsenic showed differences in the Niuhuang Jiedu Tablet products.It is necessary to improve quality control of arsenic in Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets.