Licorice has a multitude of medicinal uses and is a mainstay for many herbalists. Of course it does have some contraindications but it is still used in many herbal formulas. The issue of licorice root being contaminated by mold is not something most folks seem to know about. It has been found to be contaminated by ochratoxin A (OTA) which is a mycotoxin made by fungus.
OTA is a known nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and
carcinogenic mycotoxin in animals. Molds associated with the production of OTA
include Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus carbonarius,
Penicillium verrucosum, and species of Penicillium, Petromyces, and
Neopetromyces. Concerns regarding exposure to ochratoxin have primarily
centered on exposure to food contaminated with OTA such as wine, beer, coffee,
dried vine fruit, grape juices, pork, poultry, dairy, spices, and chocolate. Toxicity from ochratoxin is considered serious enough that it is among
approximately 20 mycotoxins monitored in food. OTA is mostly produced largely in temperate and colder climates.
General research in 2013 research found ochratoxin to be in licorice as well as a handful of other foods.
A 2010 article also found OTA in licorice.
Research in 2007 found OTA in 30 of the 30 samples of licorice root and products made from licorice root. The highest levels were found in dry licorice root. They averaged 63.6 ng/gram of OTA. Fresh licorice root was found to average 9.2 ng/gram. Solid licorice block used to make candies was 39.5 ng/gram. These levels found in licorice are higher than found in other food products.
When they made tea out of the dry licorice root 5% of the OTA in the root was transferred to the decoction, but only 1% of OTA remained in the infused tea.
Research examining the effect of humidity and temperature on fresh licorice root found that temperature had more effect than humidity. Temperatures above 22 degrees celsius (71.6 F) will cause OTA growth if an OTA producing fungus is present.
The interesting aspect of this is that licorice along with melatonin has been shown to be protective against ochratoxin A induced damage to the testes of rats. The licorice was slightly more effective than the melatonin. Research here. Licorice has also been shown to reduce ochratoxin A kidney toxicity in rats. Research here. It makes you wonder if the medicinal effect of the licorice counteracts the OTA activity. Licorice extract is being considered as a method to prevent and treat ochratoxicosis. Indeed, it is one of the herbs I have found to be helpful for folks with CIRS due to water-damaged buildings. More data on licorice and CIRS can be found here.
No answers here, just some interesting data to ponder on.
