Determination of selenium in selected food samples from Argentina and estimation of their contribution to the Se dietary intake

An optimised FI-HGAAS method was applied to determine the total selenium concentrations in selected high consumption food (fish, beef, chicken, milk, rice, wheat flour, egg) and to estimate their contribution to the Argentinean dietary intake, whose information is scarce nowadays. Through several optimisation steps a suitable method was achieved showing satisfactory figures of merit for all matrices. Average recovery was 96%, RSD < 5%, LODs ranged 2.0–7.0 μg kg⁻¹ and the accuracy was assessed using DOLT-3 NRC certified reference material. Meat and eggs showed the highest values (in μg kg⁻¹, beef: 42–153; chicken: 62–205; fish: 94–314; canned tuna: 272–282; eggs: 134–217), minor values were found for wheat flour (22–42), rice: (<22), pasta (47–64) and milk (<7–9). An estimated intake of 32 and 24 μg day⁻¹ for adult men and women, respectively, suggested a deficient Se intake, leading to further comprehensive surveys of Se occurrence in Argentina.     

Determination of ultratrace levels of selenium in fruit and vegetable samples grown and consumed in Portugal

The selenium content in fruit and vegetable samples from two regions in Portugal were analysed using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) and radiochemical nuclear activation analysis (RNAA) – two analytical methods with very low limits of detection. The lower detection limits of HG-AFS, 3 μg kg⁻¹ and 8 μg kg⁻¹ (according to conditions used for digestion), and for RNAA, 10 μg kg⁻¹, meant that it was possible to determine selenium in samples previously analysed using the replicate sample instrumental nuclear activation analysis (RSINAA) with a higher detection limit associated.     

Daily dietary intake of fluoride by Slovenian Military based on analysis of total fluorine in total diet samples using fluoride ion selective electrode

The purpose of this study was to develop an analytical procedure for determination of the amount of total fluoride in total diet samples, including drinking water and beverages. Samples were taken by the duplicate portion technique and decomposed by alkali carbonate fusion using KNaCO₃, and the amount of fluoride in solution was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode using the multiple known addition technique. The mean amount of total fluoride determined in 20 total diet samples obtained from the Slovenian Military was 1.84 ± 0.70 mg/kg on a dry matter basis. Accordingly the estimated daily intake was 1.50 ± 0.56 mg.     

Determination of the daily dietary selenium intake in Croatia

 Data about selenium (Se) concentrations in the environment and its daily dietary intake in Croatia are scarce. The aim of this study was to estimate daily dietary Se intake in a group of female subjects from the Zagreb area using three different approaches: direct measurement of Se in collected daily duplicate portions, daily dietary records and the indirect method of Se analysis in serum. The results were 33.2±8.82, 30.9±7.40 and 37.8±5.45 μg day^–1 (arithmetic mean ±SD) by duplicate portion, daily dietary records and the serum Se method, respectively. The results of dietary Se intake estimation showed that Se intake for the observed group of female subjects from Zagreb area is lower than in the majority of European countries, and lower than the value recommended by the World Health Organisation. Received: 17 May 1999     

Daily dietary sodium and potassium intake in Belgium, using duplicate portion sampling

 The daily dietary sodium and potassium intakes in Belgium were evaluated by sampling duplicate portions of food, destruction in a microwave oven and their sodium and potassium contents determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean intake for sodium (4.15±1.01 g/day) was found to be similar to values found in most other countries but well above the recommended range set by the National Research Council of the USA and the range established for Belgium. The mean intake for potassium (3.39±0.84 g/day) was somewhat higher than values for other countries and also above the recommended range for Belgium but not for the USA. Received: 24 June 1998     

Daily intake of trace metals through coffee consumption in India

The trace element contents of five varieties of instant coffee powder available in the Indian market have been analysed. Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr, Zn and Pb, Cd, Cu have been determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, respectively. The metal levels in the coffee powders observed in this study are comparable with those reported for green coffee beans (Arabica and Robusta variety) reported worldwide with the exception of Sr and Zn, which were on the lower side of the reported values. Concentrations of these metals have been converted into intake figures based on coffee consumption. The daily intakes of the above metals through ingestion of coffee are 1.4mg, 1.58 mu g, 124 mu g, 41.5mg, 4.9mg, 17.9 mu g, 2.9 mu g, 3.8 mu g, 12.5 mu g, 0.2 mu g, 0.03 mu g and 15.5 mu g, respectively. The values, which were compared with the total dietary intake of metals through ingestion by the Mumbai population, indicate that the contribution from coffee is less than or around 1% for most of the elements except for Cr and Ni which are around 3% .     

Daily dietary lithium intake in Belgium using duplicate portion sampling

 For the first time, daily dietary lithium intake for adults in Belgium has been evaluated by duplicate portion sampling, the heating of the samples in a microwave oven and atomic absorption spectrometric determination of the element. The mean intake value for adults (8.6±4.6 μg/day) is very low compared to the scarce literature data. Since the lithium requirement of humans and animals is still unknown, no comparison could be made with RDA values. Received: 20 October 1997     

Daily dietary molybdenum intake in Belgium using duplicate portion sampling

 For the first time daily dietary molybdenum intake in Belgium has been evaluated by duplicate portion sampling, heating in a microwave oven for destruction and atomic absorption spectrometric determination of this element. The mean intake value (87±11 μg/day) is lower than levels found for most other countries and is situated at the lower end of the recommended range for a safe and adequate daily dietary intake. Received: 14 October 1996     

Daily dietary rubidium intake in Belgium using duplicate portion sampling

 Daily dietary rubidium intake in Belgium was evaluated by duplicate portion sampling. Sample destruction in a microwave oven and atomic absorption spectrometric analysis were used to measure this element. The mean intake of 2.2 ±0.3 mg/day is similar to levels found for most other countries. Since the necessity of this element for humans remains unproven, the intake level could not be compared to a recommended range for a safe and adequate dietary intake. Received: 8 June 1996     

Predicted dietary intake of selenium by the general adult population in Belgium

The total selenium content of about 800 food products purchased in Belgium was determined and combined with food records to determine the nutritional selenium status of Belgian people. The largest selenium concentrations (>1?mg?kg^?1) were found in Brazil nuts and offal, of which the consumption is limited. Usually consumed food groups with the highest selenium concentrations were fish and shellfish (0.2–0.9?mg?kg^?1), eggs, poultry meat, cheese, mushrooms and pasta (approximately 0.2?mg?kg^?1). The mean dietary selenium intake was calculated to be 60?µg?day^?1, which is at the lower end but within the range recommended by the Superior Health Council in Belgium (60–70?µg?day^?1), and adequate according to the 55?µg?day^?1 recommended by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the European Commission. The major sources of selenium intake are meat and meat products (31%), fish and shellfish (20%), pasta and rice (12%), and bread and breakfast cereals (11%).