dulteration of South African Traditional Herbal

Remedies
Abstract: Traditional herbal remedies are used as alternative medicine by a large proportion of people worldwide. Herbals
are generally perceived as safe, harmless, and free from side effects, but there have been reports of adulteration of Asian
herbal remedies with Western pharmaceuticals, a practice that has not hitherto been observed in Africa. The authors present
2 cases from South Africa in which herbal remedies, consumed by patients admitted to hospital,
were found to be adulterated with commercially available Western medicines. The adulterants were identified using high-
performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The
authors alert clinicians to the fact that adulteration of herbal remedies may become more common and should be considered,
especially in cases where the symptoms are confusing in light of the history.

the use of herbal remedies is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. It is estimated that
approximately 80% of the South African population use a traditional remedy at some stage in their life. 1,2 These
remedies form part of the cultural and religious life of the African people. Moreover, they also play a key role in
the primary health care system in developed countries, mainly because of their accessibility and affordability.
An increase of over 380% in the American industry was seen between 1990 and 1997. 3 Herbal remedies are
perceived to be safe and free of side effects.4 However, problems can arise when drug interactions occur
between commonly used pharmaceuticals and herbal remedies. This problem is compounded if herbals are
adulterated with Western pharmaceuticals. Lack of adequate regulation and distribution of herbal remedies can
lead to increased adulteration of the preparations as seen in Asian herbal medicines. 5 Numerous reports of
adverse effects associated with herbal remedies are available, 611 as are reviews. Adulteration has been
documented in Chinese,1419 Indian,20,21 and South American22 herbal remedies. The main adulterants were
metalsmainly mercury, lead, arsenic, and copperor pharmaceuticalsmainly antihistamines and
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.18 These adulterants have been shown to induce hepatic, renal, and
neurotoxic effects.17,23 To date there have been no reports of deliberate adulteration of traditional African herbal
remedies. The authors report 2 cases of severe toxicity after the ingestion of herbal remedies, in which analysis
of the remedies indicated that they were adulterated with Western pharmaceuticals.

A Finnegan Mat GCQ fitted with a DB5-MS column (J&W Scientific) was used in positive EI mode. The temperature
program was initial 60_C, ramped to 280_C at 5_C/min with a final run time of 18 minutes. Conditions were a split ratio
1:50, injection volume 2 mL, injector temperature 240_C. Single ion monitoring (SIM) was used for confirmation of the
compounds. Alternatively, an HP6890 GC system equipped with an HP5973 mass selective detector was employed
following the conditions described by Fillion et al.

RESULTS
The patient in the second case had a metabolic acidosis and reduced total protein and albumin levels with
elevated ALP and AST levels. This pattern is indicative of hepatocellulardysfunction. The HPLC-PDA
chromatogram of the remedy prescribed in the first case showed a peak at 14.75 minutes (Fig. 1). The
compound was identified by the HPLC library as trimethadione (Fig. 2). Analysis of the specimen by GC-MS
using SIM confirmed this identification, with the characteristic ions 58, 128, and 143 at 4.23 minutes (Fig. 3).
GC-MS analysis of the remedy in the second case (Fig. 4) identified the presence of both propofol (Fig. 5) and
diclofenac (Fig. 6). Theions 117, 163, and 178 at 15.86 minutes and 214, 242, and 277 at 27.55 minutes are
characteristic of propofol and diclofenac, respectively.

The presence of adulterants in Chinese herbal medicines have been reported from Australia, 25 the United
Kingdom,26 the United States,27 and Taiwan.19 The compounds most commonly identified include
acetaminophen, indomethacin, and hydrochlorothiazide. Of the 2609 samples of Chinese herbal remedies
analyzed by Huang et al,19 24% were adulterated with Western pharmaceuticals, 53% with more than 1
compound. Gertner et al28 investigated Chinese traditionalmedicines prescribed for arthritis and discovered that
all ofthe pills they analyzed contained mefenamic acid and/or diazepam. Complications related to the presence
of thesesubstances included, among others, massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Antiinflammatory drugs, lead, and
steroids have been detected in a number of putative Chinese traditionalremedies, 15,29 and Kang-Yum and
Oransky14 reported considerable adulteration of Chinese remedies with mercury salts. In Brazil and the
Philippines, Western antibiotics are administeredby traditional healers, and in India, Ayurvedic healers use
penicillin and assert that it is a traditional remedy that was known to the Brahmanic sages in the past. 30
In case 1, trimethadione, commonly known as tridione, was identified. Trimethadione is used to treat petit mal
(absence) seizures. It has a number of well-documented interactions and is contraindicated for use with other
anticonvulsants, antidepressants, medications for colds and allergies, oral contraceptives, and vitamins.31,32
Trimethadione is known to have a narrow therapeutic index, and the toxic side effects limit its usefulness as an
anticonvulsant. The reported effects of the interactionsrash, blood dyscrasias, and hemeralopiawere
not observed in this child. In case 2, propofol and diclofenac were identified in the remedy. Propofol is an
anesthetic, which is usually given intravenously. Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory

drug commonly known as Voltaren_ or Cataflam_, is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
and ankylosing spondylitis. Diclofenac has been documented to interact with dietary supplements; it decreases
the urinary excretion of calcium.33 Administration of aspirin to individuals taking diclofenac has resulted in a
reduction in blood levels of diclofenac.34 It has been advised that taking willow bark (Salix alba), which contains
salicin, be avoided when diclofenac is prescribed, although no studies on the interaction between the herb and
diclofenac have been carried out. However, no adverse effects of diclofenac have been documented. Diclofenac
has been detected in 5 Chinese proprietary remedies prescribed for the treatment of rheumatism, headaches, and
stomach problems.18,35 In both cases the plants were not identified. Both remedies were in suspension, and, as is
the case with such remedies, the active compounds were unknown. So far as we know, there have been no
previous reports of adulteration of African traditional remedies. One paper by Healey et al 36 from Nigeria related
to the Asian community and their use of preparations containing lead.

People who take herbal remedies often combine them with conventional drugs. 37 Some patients may be under
the care of both Western doctors and traditional healers. This opens the possibility of herbdrug interactions
because most patients do not inform the practitioner of the herbal remedies they are currently using. 38,39 As for
adulteration with metals, these do not seem to pose a problem in South Africa. 40

CONCLUSION
Adulteration of traditional remedies is not, as yet, common in South Africa. With the increasing number of
consumers making use of herbal remedies for treatment of everyday complaints, more and more pressure is
being placed on the efficacy of the herbal remedies commonly used. The results we have obtained may indicate
the start of a trend that could lead to an increase in the number of cases of adverse effects from interactions
between conventional and traditional remedies. Herbal remedies could also cause abnormal laboratory
results by direct interference with the assay methodology and result in difficulties in diagnosis. 41 The fact that
patients are reluctant or hesitant to admit to herbal remedy usage complicates matters. Clinicians should be
warned that a tendency could develop. Clinicians in South Africa should be alerted to this fact and consider
interactions in cases in which the symptoms are confusing in the light of the history.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Drs N. Lutchman and S. Omar for alerting them to case 1 and providing them with the patient
details and biochemical results. Funding was received from the Medical Research Council of South Africa.

Determination of Contaminants in Some Iranian Popular Herbal

Medicines

Introduction
Physical evidence of the use of herbal remedies has been found from some 60,000 years ago in a burial site of a Neanderthal
man uncovered in 1960 in a cave in northern Iraq [1]. Medicinal plants have played a key role in world health. They are
distributed worldwide, but they are most abundant in tropical countries. It is estimated that about 25% of all modern
medicines are directly or indirectly derived from higher plants [2,3]. A vast number of plants have medicinal properties; in
fact, many pharmaceutical drugs were originally derived from plants. Herbal materials and medicinal plants are also often
used as food, functional food, nutritional or dietary supplements in many countries such as Iran. Due to poverty and limited
access to modern medicine, about four billion people, 80% of the worlds population, are living in developing countries use
herbal medicine as their source of primary health care [4-6]. Natural products in medicine constitute a vast array of raw
materials, making clear definitions important. Quality criteria are based on clear scientific definitions of raw material. The
term herbal drugs denotes plants or plant parts that have been converted into phytopharmaceuticals by means of simple
process involving harvesting, drying, and storage [7]. The quality of a plant product is determined by the prevailing
conditions during growth, and accepted Good agricultural Practices (GAP) can control this. These include seed selection,
growth conditions, use of fertilizers, harvesting, drying and storage. In fact, GAP procedures are, and will be, an internal part
of quality control. Apart from these criteria, factors such as the method of extraction, contamination with microorganisms,
heavy metals, and pesticides can alter the quality, safety and efficacy of herbal drugs. Using cultivated plants under
controlled conditions instead of those collected from the wild can minimize most of these factors [8,9]. By far the majority
of potentially hazardous contaminants and residues are found in the herbs and herbal materials. The objectives of this
research was to determine the level of Cd, Pb , Ni , Cu, Hg in some commonly used herbal plants. In general determining
undesired chemical contaminants and impurities in some commonly used Iranian herbal medicines by considering their
dosages, quantities and frequency of their uses. The other matter of concern in this research is toxicological assessment of
the trace heavy metals and comparing this data by the highest nationally recommended, authorized or registered uses and
FAO/WHO evaluated safety of them and the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
forcontaminants in herbal medicines and in foods.

Methods
A total of 8 commonly used medicinal plants were collected from Tehrans markets (Table 1). The samples were washed
with deionized water and allowed to dry in oven for 72 hours at a temperature of 65 C. The samples were then ground and
sieved through 0.5 mm sieve. The powdered samples then subjected to the acid digestion using nitric acid and perchloric
acid [10]. 250 mg of air-dried of each homogeneously medicinal plant samples accurately weighed and 1.0 mL of the
digestion mixture ( 2 parts by weight of nitric acid & 1 part by weight perchloric acid ) and heated slowly by an oven and
then rise the temperature. Dissolved the remaining dry inorganic residue in 2.5 mL of nitric acid and used for the
determination of heavy metals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the determination of the concentration
of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cu; standardized international protocols were followed for the preparation of material and analysis of
heavy metals contents. Analytical grade reagents and distilled water were used throughout the experiment. All glassware and
plastic containers used were washed with liquid soap, rinsed with water, soaked in 10% volume- volume nitric acid for
24hrs, cleaned thoroughly with distilled water and dried in such a manner to ensure that any contamination does not occur.
An automated continuous flow hydride vapor generation system was used for mercury and all samples were tested as quickly
as possible after collection.

Results and Discussion

A total of 6 elements (Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb) were determined in the powdered Iranian herbal plants samples and all
samples wereanalyzed three times. Each data present mean content SD of 60 samples. All results were calculated on a dry
weight basis (g/g dry weight). The results of analysis are shown in table 2 and figures 1 & 2.

Pb
the highest. The WHO maximum limit of Lead prescribed in herbal medicines and products is 10 mg/kg while the dietary
intake limit for Pb is 3 mg/week [11]. The finding for Lead residue in medicinal herbal plants is much higher than acceptable
global standards. Lead is known to cause neurological disorders, anemia, kidney damage, miscarriage, lower sperm count
and hepatotoxicity in higher concentration [12].

Cd
Cd concentration varies between 0.61- 8.74 mg/kg with Ziziphus Vulgaris, had the highest Cd level and Nigella sativa had
the lowest. WHO [11] prescribed limit for Cd contents in medicinal plant is 0.3 mg/kg and the maximum acceptable
concentration for food stuff is around 1 ppm [13]. Cd intoxication can lead to kidney, bone and pulmonary damages [14].

Cu
The concentration of Cu varied from 7.51 to 146 mg/kg, Nigella sativa L. contains the highest level of Cu and Cichorium
intybus L. contains the lowest. There is no permissible limit prescribed in local food law or by WHO, There is no permissible
limit prescribed in local food law or by WHO, but WHO (1996) has recommended the lower limit of the acceptable range of
Cu as 20 g/mg body weight per day [15,16], however, national limits in Sangapore for herbal medicines and products is
150 ppm.

Ni
The highest level of Ni occurred in Ziziphus vulgaris L.and the lowest in Zingiber Officinale. The Ni concentration varied
from 2.37 to22.96 mg/kg. Except for Ziziphus vulgaris L. and Cichorium intybus the results of present study shows Ni
contents well within the permissible limits of 8 mg/kg. Although Ni is required in minute quantity for body as it is mostly
present in the pancreas and hence plays an important role in the production of insulin. EPA has recommended daily intake of
Ni should be less than 1 mg beyond which is toxic [17].

Hg
The Hg concentration varied from 0.39 to 0.69 mg/kg, Ziziphus vulgaris L. had the highest Hg concentration and Nigella
sativa L. The lowest. Most samples had Hg contents more than the permissible limits of national limits in herbal medicines
and products. For the Ph. Eur. monograph Herbal drugs, the mercury limit was drafted as 0.1 mg/kg [18].Permissible limit
set by FAO/WHO (1984) in edible plants was 0.02 mg/kg [19].

Conclusion
One of the major environmental pollution in the developing countries like Iran is the heavy metal pollution and the pollution
from the use of excessive insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers in the agriculture fields. By a comparison between
acceptable global standards and the level of Hg, Cd and Pb on investigated herbal medicine and medicinal plants, our results
showed that the majority of medicinal plants samples had higher level of these heavy metals .Due to lack of research data
and technical limitations at present, more research is needed in order to establish the scientific criteria for herbal medicines.
The problem is rather more serious in Iran and the other developing countries. Because medicinal plants neither controlled
nor probably regulated by quality assurance parameters. The results suggest that medicinal plants used for human
consumption or for preparation of herbal products and standardized extracts should be collected from an unpolluted natural
habitat. As heavy metal toxicity through contamination of preparation continues to be recognized risk, voluntary programs to
provide community education regarding the potential risk of herbal preparations should be Supported by the availability free
heavy metal testing services. These testing services would most hopefully be provided through existing general practice and
pathology testing services, and would contribute to health protection.

IDENTIFIKASI RADIONUKLIDA PEMANCAR GAMMA PADA BAHAN

JAMU TRADISIONAL

ABSTRAK
IDENTIFIKASI RADIONUKLIDA ?EMANCAR GAMMA PADA BAHAN JAMU TRADISIONAL. Telah dilakukan identifikasi radionuklida
pemancar gamma pada bahan jamu tradisional dengan metoda spektrometri gamma. Kegiatan percobaan born nuklir di Kepulauan Pasifik,
di Asia Tengah. di India dan Pakistan telah menyebahkan peningkatan radioaklivitas yang ada di lingklmgan. Bahan jamu tradisional yang
berupa tumbuhan mengandung radioaktivitas yang berasal dari lingkungan. Bahan jamu yang dikonsumsi manusia lidak boleh
mengandung radioaktivitas yang melebihi am bang batas yang diizinkan. Untuk mengukur radioaktivitas lingkungan yang ada dalam suatu
bahan digunakan alat spektrometer gamma. Sampel bahan jamu tradisional terdiri dari temulawak, temuireng, kunir. jahe dan kencur.
Sampel dikeringkan. dihaluskan dan diayak dengan ayakan 100 mesh. Sampel ditimbang sekitar 50 g, dicacah selama 20 jam dengan alat
spektrometer gamma. Radionuk/ida pemancar gamma yang terdeteksi dalam bahanjamutradisional antara lain 1'1-208 (5/0,72 keV), 1'1
208 (583,14 keV), Bi-214 (609,30 keV), Bi-214 (1120,40 keV), Ac-228 (911.20 keV), Ac-228 (964,40 keV), dan K-40 (/460,75 keV).
Sedangkan aklivitas dari masing-masing bahan jamu antara lain, jahe 0,04 - 8,78 Bqlkg, temulawak 0,02 - 7,91 Bqlkg temuireng 0,04 -
6,98 Bqlkg, kunyit 0,03 - 7,40 Bqlkg. dan kencur 0,03 - 6,72 Bqlkg. Radioaktivitas nuk/ida yang terdeteksi dalam sampel

PENDAHULUAN
Adatnerydaetekrsaid. ioaHkatilviitnais didsieblianbgkkaunngaknaresnuadahadalanmyaa kegiatan percobaan born nuklir,
baik di kawasan kepulauan Pasifik, di Asia tengah, India, Pakistan maupun di negara-negara lain. Sedangkan bencana
reaktor Chemobyl di Rusia telah ikut andil dalam meningkatkan radioaktivitas lingkungan. Debu jatuhan radioaktif telah ikut
serta meningkatkan radioaktivitas alam, terutama terhadap bahan-bahan makanan yang dikonsumsi manusia (1,2). Selain itu,
peningkatan radioaktivitas lingkungan antara lain disebabkan oleh (3,4,5,6):
a. Peningkatan pemanasan global dan peningkatan kerusakan pada lapisan ozon akan meningkatkan sinar kosmis yang
sampai ke bumi.
b. Adanya peningkatan kegiatan percobaan born nuklir Amerika di pulau karang Mururoa di lautan Pasifik.
c. Adanya peningkatan kegiatan percobaan born nuklir oleh India dan Pakistan di Asia Selatan.
d. Adanya peningkatan kegiatan percobaan born nuklir o]eh RRC dan Korea Utara di Asia Tengah
e. Adanya kecelakaan reaktor nuklir di Semenanjung Long Is]and Amerika tahun 1982, dan kece]akaan nuklir di reaktor
nuklir Chemoby] di Rusia tahun 1986.
f. Kegiatan perang di Timur Tengah yang menggunakan kapal-kapa] bertenaga nuklir dan lalu-la]ang di perairan Indonesia.
Jamu termasuk salah satu bahan yang dikonsumsi oleh manusia. Bahan jamu menggunakan tumbuhan yang ada di a]am dan
akan tercemar dengan senyawa radioaktif yang ada di lingkungan. Oleh karena itu perlu dilakukan pengukuran terhadap
radioaktivitas yang terdapat pad a bahan jamu tradisional. Sampel bahan jamu tradisional tcrdiri dad jahc (Zingiber
oJflcinale R.), temulawak (Curcuma xanlorrhiza R.), temuireng (Curcuma aeroginusa R.), kunyit (Curc//II/a domeslica V.)
dan kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.). Ambang batas aktivitas beberapa jcnis radionuklida dalam bahan biologis yang berupa
rumput masing-masing adalah TI-208 (5] 0,72 keY) = 135 Bq/kg, TI-208 (583,14 keY) = ]35 Bq/kg, Bi-214 (609,30 keY) =
75 Bq/kg, Bi-214 (1120,40 keY) = 75 Bq/kg, Ac-228 (911,20 keY) = 85 Bq/kg, Ac-228 (964,40 keY) = 85 Bq/kg, dan K-40
(1460,75 keY) = ]48 Bq/kg. (7) Radioaktivitas yang ada di alam biasanya tergolong radioaktivitas yang rendah yang jumlah
cacahnya sangat berdekatan dengan cacah latar (8). O]eh karena itu diperlukan alat yang dapat mendeteksi radioaktivitas
yang rendah tersebut yaitu spektrometer gamma supresi compton.(9, 10, II , 12, 13). Alat tersebut dapat menekan adanya
hamburan compton dalam detektor, sehingga kemampuan untuk mengukur puncak-puncak fotolistrik akan bertambah. Alat
ini dioperasikan dengan sistem anti-koinsidensi yang menggunakan dua detektor yaitu HPGe sebagai detektor utama dan
detektor Nal(Tl). Sebagai detektor pelindung (perisai aktit). Di samping itu masih dipcrgunakan perisai yang menggunakan
bahan Pb yang dilapisi dengan Cd dan Cu yang berfungsi sebagai perisai pasif. Oleh karena itu, SGSSC dapat dipakai untuk
pengukuran sampel aktivitas rendah dengan menekan hamburan compton dan pengaruh radiasi latar. (lihat GambarI). (14,
15). Untuk pencacahan radioaktivitas alam yang rendah diperlukan jumlah cuplikan yang banyak dan waktu cacah yang
panjang (16). Penelitian ini berguna bagi ekonomi global khususnya terhadap produk ekspor yang berupa bahan jamu atau
jamu tradisional. Salah satu komponen dalam kualitas bahan ekspor ada]ah kandungan radioaktivitas da]am bahan prod uk
ekspor. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan kandungan radioaktivitas bahan jamu yang masih di bawah ambang batas yang
membahayakan sehingga merupakan lampu hijau bagi peningkatan ekspor bahan jamuljamu tradisiona] disaat sekarang
maupun di era pasar global. Selain itu, hasil penelitian ini juga memberikan rasa aman bagi konsumen jamu tradisional, dan
te]ah memenuhi kewajiban pasar globa] bagi ekspor komoditi bahan jamu dan jamu tradisional.

BAHAN DAN TATA KERJA

Rancangan Penelitian
Raneangan penelitian menggunakan complete randomized design (CRD). Design ini digunakan untuk membandingkan
nilai rata-rata sampe] yang jumlahnya lebih dari 2 buah dan dilengkapi dengan analysis of variance. Data F hitung dalam
anova dipero]eh dengan perhitungan jumlah kuadrat, kuadrat tengah dengan derajat bebas untuk variasi antar sampel
(perlakuan)dan variasi di dalam sampel (eror). Metode ini, eoeok digunakan untuk penelitian laboratorium lanalisis (17).
Dalam penelitian ini dipilih beberapa variabe], yaitu variabel janis bahan jamu, variabel lokasi sampling dan variabel jenis
radionuklida yang terdeteksi.

Pengumpulan cuplikan
Bahan jamu tradisional yang berupa jahe, kunyit, keneur, temulawak dan temuireng dikumpulkan dari pasar tradisional di
beberapa daerah di DIY, antara lain di Kabupaten Bantul, Gunungkidul, Kulonprogo, Sleman, dan Yogyakarta pad a bulan
Januari 2004. Masingmasing sampel dikumpulkan sebanyak 1 kg.

Preparasi cuplikan
Preparasi bahan jamu yang berupa bahan tumbuhan mengacu pada KUSTIONO, A. 1992)(8). Bahan jamu tradisiona]
dikupas kulitnya, dipotong kecil-kecil lalu dikeringkan dengan suhu 50-60 C sampai beratnya konstan. Kemudian
dihaluskan dan disaring dengan saringan 100 mesh. Masing-masing sampel ditimbang 50 g, dimasukkan ke da]am wadah
sampel berbentuk silinder dengan tinggi 6 em dan diameter 5 em, dan ditutup rapat. Sebagai pembanding digunakan bahan
standar IAEA-373 (Radionuclides in Grass) dan dper]akukan sarna dengan sam pel.

Pencacahan dan pengukuran radioaktivitas cuplikan

Penelitian ini menggunakan metode spektrometri gamma supresi compton yang di disain khusus untuk mendeteksi
radioktivitas lingkungan dengan Jatar yang rendah. Sampel blangko berupa wadah sampel kosong diletakkan 5,5 em dari
detektor dan dilakukan peneaeahan se]ama 20 jam (=72000 detik) dan masing-masing diulangi 3 kali. Sampel jahe, kunyit,
keneur, temulawak dan temuireng masing-masing diperlakukan sarna dengan sampel blangko. Peneaeahan diulangi 3 kali.
Kalibrasi energi dilakukan dengan sumberCo-60 (10), peneaeahan dilakukan pad a kondisi optimum dari sistem. Hasil
peneaeahan blangkomerupakan eaeah latar sehingga besamya eaeah bersih (nello) adalah eaeah euplikan dikurangi dengan
eacah latar. Pengukuran aktivitas dilakukan dengan metode komparatif menggunakan bahanstandar SRM IAEA-373. Setelah
diperoleh eaeah neto kemudian dihitung aktivitasnya. Perhitungan aktivitas dilakukan dengan mengaeu pada SUDARTI,
1995. (9)

HASIL DAN PEMBAHASAN

Puneak-puneak energi beberapa radionuklida pada sistem MCA yang terdapat padabahan jamu disajikan pad a Tabel-I. Dari
semua sampel bahan jamu tradisional, an tara lain jahe, temulawak, temuireng, kunyit dan kencur terdeteksi .beberapa
radionuklida antara lain TI-208, dengan energi 510,72 keY dan 583,14 keY. Bi-214 dengan energi 609,3 keY dan 1120,4
keY. Ac-228 dengan energi 911,2 keY dan 964,4 keY. Dan K-40 dengan energi 1460,75 keY. Rerata aktivitas beberapa
radionuklida yang terdapat pada bahan jamu tradisional yang dikumpulkan dari daerah kabupaten Bantul disajikan pad a
Tabel-2. Dari lokasi sampling di daerah kabupaten Bantul, aktivitas total dari bahan jamu jahe, temulawak, temuire!1g,
kunyit dan kencur masing-masing bervariasi antara 0,05-8,43 Bqlkg , 0,03-7,91 Bqlkg, 0,04-6,89 Bqlkg, 0,047,20 Bqlkg ,
0,06-6,68 Bq/kg. Sementara, dari masing-masing radionuklida TI-208 (510,72 keY), TI-208 (583,14 keY), Bi-214 (609,3
keY), Bi-2J4 (1120,4 keY), Ac-228 (911,2 keY), Ac-228 (964,4 keY) dan K-40 (1460,75 keY) mempunyai aktivitas 0,55-
0,84 Bqlkg, 6,68-8,43 Bqlkg, 1,37-2,49 Bqlkg, 0,17-0,32 Bqlkg, 1,42-1,70 Bqlkg, 0,030,06 Bqlkg, dan 0,39-0,66 Bqlkg.
Aktivitas total dari baku mutu untuk sampeJ tumbuhan bervariasi antara 75- J48 Bqlkg. (7). Rerata aktivitas bahan jamu
yang diambil dari daerah kabupatem BantuI masih di bawah ambang batas yang membahayakan bagi manusia. Rerata
aktivitas beberapa radionuklida yang terdapat pada bahan jamu tradisional yang dikumpulkan dari daerah kabupaten Sleman
disajikan pad a Tabel-3.

Dari lokasi sampling di daerah kabupaten Sleman, aktivitas total dari bahan jamu jahe, temulawak, temuireng, kunyit dan
kencur masingmasing bervariasi antara 0,07-8,22 Bqlkg , 0,047,23 Bqlkg, 0,08-6,34 Bqlkg, 0,06-7,02 Bqlkg , dan 0,05-6,1]
Bq/kg. Sementara, dari masing-masing radionuklida TI-208 (510,72 keY), TI-208 (583,14 keY), Bi-2]4 (609,3 keY), Bi-214
(1120,4 keY), Ac-228 (911,2 keY), Ac-228 (964,4 keY) dan K-40 (1460,75 keY) mempunyai aktivitas 0,57-0,79 Bqlkg,
6,11-8,22 Bqlkg, 1,46-2,58 Bqlkg, 0,200,45 Bq/kg, 1,43-1,72 Bqlkg, 0,04-0,08 Bq/kg, dan 0,48-0,71 Bqlkg. Aktivitas total
dari baku mutu untuk sampel tumbuhan bervariasi antara 75148 Bqlkg. (7). Rerata aktivitas bahan jamu yang diambil dari
daerah kabupatem Sleman masih di bawah ambang batas yang membahayakan bagi manusia. Rerata aktivitas beberapa
radionuklida yang terdapat pada bahan jamu tradisional yang dikumpulkan dari daerah kota Yogyakarta disajikan pada
Tabel-4. Oari lokasi sampling di daerah kota Yogyakarta, aktivitas total dari bahan jamu jahe, temulawak, temuireng, kunyit
dan kencur masing-masing bervariasi antara 0,07-8,12 Bq/kg , 0,047,45 Bq/kg, 0,06-6, II Bq/kg, 0,07-7,40 Bq/kg, dan 0,03-
6,72 Bq/kg. Sementara, dari masing-masing radionuklida TI-208 (510,72 keY), TI-208 (583,]4 keY), Bi-214 (609,3 keY),
Bi-214 (1120,4 keY)" Ac-228 (911,2 keY), Ac-228 (964,4 keY) dan K-40 (1460,75 keY) mempunyai aktivitas 0,50-0,81
Bq/kg, 6,11-8,12 Bq/kg, 1,47-2,56 Bq/kg, 0,190,41 Bq/kg, 1,41-1,65 Bq/kg, 0,03-0,07 Bq/kg, dan 0,46-0,62 Bq/kg. Aktivitas
total dari baku mutu untuk sampel tumbuhan bervariasi antara 75148 Bq/kg. (7). Rerata aktivitas bahan jamu yang diambil
dari daerah kota Yogyakarta masih di bawah ambang batas yang membahayakan bagi manusia. Rerata aktivitas beberapa
radionuklida yang terdapat pada bahan jamu tradisional yang dikumpulkan dari daerah kabupaten Kulonprogo disajikan pada
Tabel-5. Oari lokasi sampling di daerah kabupaten Kulonprogo, aktivitas total dari bahan jamu jahe, temulawak, temuireng,
kunyit dan kencur masing-masing bervariasi antara 0,04-8,78 Bq/kg , 0,05-7,25 Bq/kg, 0,06-6,98 Bq/kg, 0,057,17 Bq/kg,
dan 0,06-6,21 Bq/kg. Sementara, dari masing-masing radionuklida TI-208 (510,72 keY), TI-208 (583,14 keY), Bi-214
(609,3 keY), Bi-214 (1120,4 keY), Ac-228 (911,2 keY), Ac-228 (964,4 keY) dan K-40 (1460,75 keY) mempunyai aktivitas
0,53-0,89 Bq/kg, 6,21-8,78 Bq/kg, 1,46-2,67 Bq/kg, 0,26-0,43 Bq/kg, 1,49-],71 Bq/kg, 0,040,06 Bq/kg, dan 0,56-0,69 Bq/kg.
Aktivitas total dari baku mutu untuk sam pel tumbuhan bervariasi antara 75-148 Bq/kg. (7). Rerata aktivitas bahan jamu
yang diambil dari daerah kabupatem Kulonprogo masih di bawahambang batas yang
membahayakan bagi man usia.
Rerata aktivitas beberapa radionuklida yang
terdapat pada bahan jamu tradisional yang
dikumpulkan dari daerah kabupaten Gunungkidul
disajikan pada Tabel-6.
Dari tabel tersebut dapat diketahui bahwa
dalam beberapa jenis tanah terdeteksi radionuklida
pemancar-y seperti TI-208, Bi-2 ]4, Ac-228 dan K40
dengan radioaktivitas yang tidak jauh berbeda
dengan radioaktivitas radionuklida pemancar-y yang
terdapat di dalam bahan jamu tradisional.
KESIMPULAN
I. Telah didapatkan beberapa radionuklida
pemancar gamma dalam bahan jamu tradisional
yang terdiri dari jahe, kunyit, kencur, temu]awak
dan temuireng. Radionuklida pemancar-y yang
terdeteksi antara lain, TI-208 (510,72 ke V), Tl208
(583,14 keY), Bi-2]4 (609,3 keY), Bi-214
(I ]20,4 keY), Ac-228 (9] 1,2 keY), Ac-228
(964,4 keY), dan K-40 (1460,75).
2. Radioaktivitas dari radionuklida pemancar-y
yang terdapat di dalam bahan jamu tradisional
tidak menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan
bila dibandingkan dengan radioaktivitas dari
radionuklida pemancar-y yang ada di dalam
tanah.
3. Tingkat aktivitas total dari masing-masing bahan
jamu tradisional antara lain, jahe 0,04 - 8,78
Bq/kg, temulawak 0,02 - 7,9] Bq/kg, temuireng
0,04 - 6,98 Bq/kg, kunyit 0,03 - 7,40 Bq/kg. dan
kencur 0,03 - 6,72 Bq/kg. Aktivitas total dari
baku mutu untuk sampel tumbuhan adalah 75]
48 Bq/kg.
4. Tingkat aktivitas dari masing-masing radionuklida
pada masing-masing bahan jamu
tradisional temyata masih di bawah ambang
batas yang telah ditentukan, sehingga bahanbahan
jamu tersebut masih layak untuk
dikonsumsi dan tidak berbahaya bagi manusia.