Articles Vol. 67 No. CĐ2-NCKH 05/03/2026

SOME FACTORS RELATED TO AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN MEDICINAL PLANTS AT NGHE AN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE HOSPITAL IN 2023

Ho Van Thang1,2, Nguyen Thi Kim Dinh1,2, Nguyen Thi Nga1,2, Duong Dinh Chinh3,4, Cao Ba Loi5,6
1 Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital
2 Bệnh viện Y học cổ truyền Nghệ An
3 Nghe An Department of Health
4 Sở Y tế tỉnh Nghệ An
5 National Institute of Malariology Parasitology and Entomology
6 Viện Sốt rét Ký sinh trùng Côn trùng Trung ương
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD2.4440
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Keywords
Traditional herbal medicines, fungi, aflatoxin
Abstract

Objective: To determine aflatoxin levels in traditional herbal medicines and to analyze factors associated with aflatoxin contamination at Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital in 2023.

Subjects and methods: The study was conducted on 170 traditional herbal medicine samples included in the list of medicines reimbursed by health insurance at the Pharmacy Department of Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital. A descriptive study with analytical components was employed.

Results: The overall fungal contamination rate was 33.5%. The overall aflatoxin contamination rate was 9.41%. The proportion of samples contaminated with 1 type of aflatoxin was 56.25%; with 2 types, 31.25%; and with 3 types, 12.5%. Factors associated with aflatoxin contamination included: fungal contamination (OR = 5.165, 95% CI: 1.69-15.70, p < 0.05); contamination with Aspergillus spp. (OR = 4.533, 95% CI: 1.47-13.97, p < 0.05); contamination with other fungal species (OR = 4.704, 95% CI: 1.623-13.636, p < 0.01); Chinese herbal medicines (OR = 7.373, 95% CI: 1.621-33.542, p < 0.01); and herbal samples with aflatoxin levels > 0.5 ppb (OR = 5.268, 95% CI: 1.312-21.299, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: There is an association between fungal contamination and overall aflatoxin contamination in traditional herbal medicines (OR = 5.165, 95% CI: 1.69-15.70, p < 0.01). Herbal samples contaminated with fungi have a 5.165-fold higher risk of aflatoxin contamination compared with non-contaminated samples. There is also an association between fungal contamination and aflatoxin contamination in Chinese herbal medicines (OR = 7.373, 95% CI: 1.621-33.542, p < 0.01); contaminated Chinese herbal medicine samples have a 7.373-fold higher risk of aflatoxin contamination compared with Vietnamese herbal medicine samples.

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