Quantitative analysis and health risk assessment of methanol in medicinal herbal drinks marketed in Hamadan, Iran

Abstract

Herbal drinks are one of the most important and widely used pharmaceutical forms of medicinal herbs. Methanol, a neurotoxic agent, occurs naturally at different levels during the production of herbal drinks. The aim of this study was to evaluate contamination and dietary intake of methanol by herbal drinks consumption in Hamadan, Iran. In current study, sixty samples from five types of herbal drinks were analyzed for methanol and ethanol by gas chromatography. The results showed that thirty-three samples were positive for methanol at levels that ranged from 8.35 to 31.90 mg/dl. Additionally, in the positive samples, the ratio of methanol/ ethanol was greater than the European Union acceptable limit. Although methanol intake was estimated within acceptable limits, some of the Iranian consumers might need to moderate their herbal drinks consumption.