Preliminary results of the effect of gamma rays to fungi and pests on stored medicinal herbs

Results of the study showed that fungus flora existed in stored traditional medicinal herbs was plentiful. For Flos sophorae japonicae, Licorice, Radix Angelicae dahuricae only, it was identified 1424 strains of 43 varieties of 10 species; among them there are two main species: Aspergillus (19 varieties with 850 strains) and Penicillium (14 varieties with 250 strains). Beside of that, pests also existed numerously, for Plastrum testunidis of Sapa only it was defined 10 kinds of harmful pests with density of more than 500 pests/kg of sample. Gamma rays of 5 kGy changed fibre system and reproduce organ as well inhibited the spore growths for the fungi. Irradiation dose of 0.5-1 kGy was effective to kill pests. Insecticides of Pyrethroid and Phosphorous groups could kill all adults but not pupae and laval lied inside product. Due to high penetration, gamma rays could be effective for all stages of pest. (author). 10 refs, 6 tabs