Fda Warns Against Adulteration Of Chinese Star Anise With Japanese Star Anise

Star anise is the dried star shaped fruit derived from Illicium verum which is an evergreen tree attaining a height of 8-15m and a diameter of about 25cm.

Its fruits are star shaped, reddish brown consisting of 8 carpels (follicles) arranged in a whorl around a short central column. Each follicle is 12-17mm long, boat shaped, hard and wrinkled containing brown, compressed, ovoid, smooth, shiny, brittle seeds. Carpels have a pleasant ‘anise’ like odour and aromatic sweet anise like taste.

This plant is indigenous to tropical and sub tropical East Asia and is mostly cultivated in China.

Chinese and Vietnamese use this spice in most of their cuisines. It is largely used in France, Spain, Italy and America in the preparation of cordial liquor and is added in tea and coffee. In India it is used in flavouring confectionaries, chewing gums and in the manufacturing of soaps and perfumes. But the most important application is that its an integral part of Indian spice ‘Garam Masala’.

Star anise fruit is stomachic and carminative and effective in flatulence, dysentery, cough, asthma, rheumatic arthritis etc. Ayurvedic industries make use of it in famous Dashamoolarishtam, Jeerakarishtam, Karpooradichoornam, etc.

Chinese Star anise is the major source of the chemical compound shikimic acid-a primary compound in the pharmaceutical synthesis of anti influenza drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Even though shikimic acid is produced by most of the autotropic organisms, star anise is the main source. In 2005 there was a temporary shortage of star anise due to its use in the production of Tamiflu. The 2009 swine flu outbreak led to the shortage of Chinese star anise and it was used in bulk quantities for the manufacture of Tamiflu. This great shortage and high price led to the entry of Japanese star anise in the market.

Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is known as ‘bastard anise’ or shikimi . It is a native to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. It is a medium sized evergreen tree and is very similar to Chinese star anise. This plant is cultivated near Buddhist temples and decorating graves. But they are toxic to humans and because of this they must be carefully distinguished from the Chinese star anise.

Japanese star anise contains anisatin, sikimin and sikimitoxin which can inflame kidneys, digestive organs and nervous systems. It also contain safrole and eugenol which are not present in Chinese star anise. The highest concentration of lactons in Japanese star anise is associated with many of the toxic events that have been reported including convulsion.

In 2003 FDA advised public, not to consume herbal tea’s containing star anise followed by U.S report of toxicity from administration of tea made from packed spice material. Concern has been raised regarding the adulteration of Illicium verum with Illicium anisatum has led to recalls of these in other countries. Macroscopic and Microscopic identification of these fruits when obtained as homogenous lots can be reasonable conducted. But the possibilities for the microscopic identification of these in powdered material especially in masala powder are very limited. However, colour test fluorescent microscopy, GC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS are most modern tools to find out the toxic component in them.

Visit Our Website for more HealthCare Articles