Determination of industrial pollution effects on citrus honeys with chemometric approach

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of essential, trace and toxic elements, such as K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Al, Ni, Sn, Pb and Cd in citrus honeys from different regions (industrialized and nonindustrialized) of Hatay, Turkey. K, Ca, Na and Mg were the most abundant elements, with mean contents of 363.5, 256.6, 88.1 and 37.7 mg/kg, respectively. The trace element mean contents ranged between 0.032 and 15.58 mg/kg. Significant differences in Fe, Cu, Al, Ni, Sn, Pb, Cd, Co and Sr levels were observed between two different regions. The findings that Fe, Cu, Al, Ni, Sn, Pb, Cd, Co and Sr contents in citrus honeys from industrialized regions were higher than citrus honeys from non-industrialized regions indicate that the honeys were affected by industrial pollution. Chemometric methods were applied to classify honey according to mineral content. Cluster analysis showed three clusters corresponding to the three different regions.     

Assessment of daily intake of toxic elements due to consumption of vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood by inhabitants of Xiamen, China

This study was designed to estimate the dietary intake of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) (total and methyl), and arsenic (As) by inhabitants of Xiamen, China. The concentrations of these toxic elements (TEs) were determined in vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood samples randomly acquired in 5 districts of Xiamen between 2005 and 2009. Health risks were evaluated for inhabitants of Xiamen due to dietary consumption. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values for individual elements were far below 1, indicating minimal noncarcinogenic risks from TEs for inhabitants of Xiamen under the current food consumption rate. However, consumption of the entire foodstuffs could lead to potential health risks since the 95th percentile HI was higher than 1. The relative contributions of Cd, Pb, Hg T, and As to the HI were 16.0%, 15.9%, 5.9%, and 62.2% for the mean exposure level, and 13.3%, 13.4%, 5.6%, and 67.9% for the 95th percentile estimate. The THQ value of methyl mercury through consumption of cephalopod was less than 1. Tomato, cephalopod, eggplant, cabbage, orange, and pork were the main sources of total dietary intakes of TEs. The estimation of carcinogenic risk shows that the carcinogenic rate of arsenic exceeded the accepted risk level of 10(-4) . Therefore, the carcinogenic risk of arsenic for inhabitants of Xiamen is of concern. Practical Application: Tomato, cephalopod, eggplant, cabbage, orange, and pork were the main sources of dietary intakes of TEs in Xiamen, China. The carcinogenic risk of arsenic for inhabitants in this area who consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables daily may be of concern. Consumers are encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables with different origins and eat less cephalopod to reduce the possibilities of continuously eating commodities from the contaminated areas.     

Minor and trace elements in different honey types produced in Siena County (Italy)

The concentrations of 23 chemical elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Th, Tl, U, Zn) were determined in 51 honey samples of different botanical origin produced in Siena County (Italy). K, Ca, Na and Mg were the most abundant elements, with mean contents of 1195, 257, 96.6 and 56.7 mg/kg, respectively. The Fe, Zn and Sr contents generally ranged from 1 to 5 mg/kg. Except for Ba, Cu, Mn and Ni, the trace element contents were below 100 μg/kg. The analytical data indicated a good level of quality of the honeys, especially with regard to the concentrations of toxic trace elements, such as As, Cd, Pb and Sb, and suggested a significant influence of the botanical origin on the element composition. Some local geological and geochemical features also seemed to affect the chemistry of the honey.     

Determination of element contents in herbal drugs: Chemometric approach

The elemental content of 23 commercial herbal drugs was evaluated and multivariate analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were performed with aim to know the relationship among the elements in the herbal drugs. Among the 13 elements investigated K (8096.97), Na (581.53), Cu (2.06); Mg (678.4); Fe (476.93), Al (321.5), Co (0.22); Zn (4.46), Ni (0.56); Mn (25.77); Pb (13.33); and Cr (13.18) mg/kg dry weight, respectively, were found at high concentrations in Eclipta prostrata; Adhatoda vasica; Phyllanthus amarus; Hybanthus enneaspermus; Cardiospermum halicacabum; Acacia nilotica; and Denolix elata. Interestingly, the toxic element Cd was below detectable level in all the samples and Cr, Pb and Ni were lower than the permissible limit as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This study clearly shows that PCA and HCA procedures appear useful tools for the differentiation and classification of herbal drugs using the profile of elements.     

Elemental analysis of instant soups and seasoning mixtures by ICP–OES

A method for the determination of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn levels in high saline food products (instant soups and seasoning mixtures) using ICP–OES was developed. The results of the direct determination with multi-elemental water standards were compared with the internal standardisation, the standard addition methods and the allowable limits of the above mentioned elements in food. The method was shown to be sensitive with limits of detection: Na 1.50, K 12, Ca 0.32, Mg 0.13, P 1.1, Cd 0.16, Cr 0.21, Cu 0.32, Fe 0.30, Mn 0.17, Ni 0.42, Pb 2.1 and Zn 0.21 (in mg kg⁻¹). The method exhibited RSD 2–8%.     

Dietary intake of trace elements by the population of Catalonia (Spain): results from a total diet study

This study aimed to analyse the concentrations of Al, Ba, Bi, Cu, Cr, Ge, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sr and Zn in food samples collected in 2008 in Catalonia (Spain). The dietary intake of these 13 trace elements was subsequently estimated by different age–gender groups of the population: children, adolescents, adults and seniors. In general terms, fish and shellfish, cereals, and pulses were the food groups showing the highest levels for most elements. Higher dietary intakes were associated with male groups (adolescents, adults and seniors). However, none exceeded the tolerable levels. When exposure was estimated based on body weight, children were the group with the highest dietary intake. Notwithstanding, only the weekly intake of Al by children exceeded the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is a consequence of the higher intake of cereals in relation to their respective body weights. In addition to the periodical food surveillance of toxic metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb), it is also important to determine the levels of other trace elements in order to ensure that the dietary exposure by the Catalan population is under control.     

Trace element levels in honeys from different regions of Turkey

A survey of 25 honey samples from different botanical origin, collected all over the Turkey was conducted to assess their trace element contents. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), aluminium (Al) and selenium (Se) in honey samples from different regions of Turkey. Trace element contents were determined by a flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry technique after dry-ashing, microwave digestion and wet-digestion. The accuracy of the method was corrected by the standard reference material, NIST-SRM 1515 Apple leaves. The contents of trace elements in honey samples were in the range of 0.23–2.41 μg g⁻¹, 0.32–4.56 μg g⁻¹, 1.1–12.7 μg g⁻¹, 1.8–10.2 μg g⁻¹, 8.4–105.8 μg kg⁻¹, 2.6–29.9 μg kg⁻¹, 2.4–37.9 μg kg⁻¹, 0.9–17.9 μg kg⁻¹, 83–325 μg kg⁻¹ and 38–113 μg kg⁻¹ for Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Al and Se, respectively. Iron was the most abundant element while cadmium was the lowest element in the Turkish honeys surveyed. The results showed that trace element concentrations in the honeys from different regions were generally correlated with the degree of trace element contamination of the environment.     

Determination of toxic and essential elements in sunflower honey from Thrace Region,Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and selenium (Se) in sunflower honeys obtained from Thrace Region of Turkey. Trace and toxic element determination was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The accuracy of the method was checked by the standard reference material, NIST‐SRM 1515 Apple leaves. The maximum contents of trace and toxic elements in honey samples from Kesan (polluted area) were found as 0.46, 0.82, 1.98, 14.0, 9.86 μg kg^?1, 0.48 mg kg^?1, 137, 115 and 290 μg kg^?1 for Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni and Se, respectively.     

Metal concentration of wild edible mushrooms in Soguksu National Park in Turkey

Twelve varieties of fruiting bodies of wild edible mushrooms collected in 2002 from Soguksu National Park, Ankara, Turkey were analysed for Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co contents by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Dried samples were dissolved by microwave digestion. The contents of trace metals in the mushroom samples were found in the ranges: 0.7–4.2, 0.31–54.2, 29–146, 138–1714, 10–77, 6–187, not detected–21.6, 0.7–4.2 and not detected–5.2 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Co, respectively. The levels of Pb and Cd analysed in all edible mushroom samples except Agaricus arvensis and Ramaria obtusissima for Cd were found to be lower than the legal limits.     

Trace element contents in European species of wild growing edible mushrooms: A review for the period 2000–2009

The review follows a previous report (Kala? & Svoboda, 2000), focused on cadmium, mercury and lead. Numerous papers on the topic, published during the last decade, rendered a lot of new information on 15 reviewed metals and metalloids and limited information on a further 14 elements and lanthanides. Usual reported contents for most of species grown in unpolluted sites are 20–150 (Al), 0.5–5 (As), 2–4 (Ba), 1–5 (Cd), <0.5 (Co), 0.5–5 (Cr), 20–100 (Cu), 50–300 (Fe), <0.5–5 (Hg), 10–60 (Mn), traces-15 (Ni), <5 (Pb), <2 (Se), <0.1 (Sb) and 25–200 (Zn) mg kg⁻¹ dry matter. These values can be considerably, even by order of magnitude, increased in mushrooms picked in polluted areas. Moreover, some species have accumulating and even hyperaccumulating ability for various elements. The possibility to evaluate toxicological risk or nutritional asset has been thus limited.     

Heavy metals and essential elements in Italian cereals

Crops intended for human nutrition and food production containing different essential trace elements, such as copper and zinc, could be contaminated by toxic metals like cadmium and lead. The interrelationship between micronutrients and contaminant trace elements in different cereals was investigated in North-western Italy, where both agricultural and industrial activities are present. Elemental concentrations in sampled cereals were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Rice, oats and barley reached the highest median levels for Al, Cd and Pb content, while corn samples were less contaminated by toxic metals. Regarding essential elements highest median values of Cu and Zn were both found in barley, while Ni median content was higher in oats. Rice had the lowest median levels of essential elements. The correlation study between toxic and essential elements seemed to demonstrate fixed trends in analysed samples, corroborating the importance of a different diet to limit potential adverse effects caused by toxic elements.     

2019年河北省市售虾蛄(皮皮虾)重金属污染情况调查

目的了解2019年河北省市售虾蛄中重金属污染情况。方法按照《2019年河北省食品污染物风险监测方案》的要求,对河北省11个地市及雄安新区共计106份虾蛄样品进行Pb、Ni、Hg(总)、As(总)、Li、V、Mn、Ba、Cd、Cr、Al、Sb、Cu、Sn、Se共15种元素的检测,并对检测结果进行统计分析。结果 Hg、As、Mn、Cd、Cu、Se的检出率为90%以上, As、Cd的检出率达到了100%,其余元素的检出率在36.8%~89.6%之间,元素镉超标率达到了86.8%。Pb、Ni、Hg(总)、As(总)、Li、V、Mn、Ba、Cr、Al、Sb、Cu、Sn、Se元素均检出,但并未超出GB 2762—2017《食品安全国家标准食品中污染物限量》中的限值要求。结论去除虾腺可降低镉元素的检测值,虽然河北省虾蛄抽查样品89.9%镉超标,但经过计算评估,虾蛄中的镉元素对人体健康的风险可以接受。     

Toxic and essential elements in Lebanese cheese

Concentrations of 20 minor, trace and ultratrace elements relevant to human health (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, V) were determined in four different varieties of the most consumed cheese in Lebanon (Halloumi, Double Crème, Baladi, Labneh) sampled at five different provinces (Grand Beirut, South of Lebanon, North of Lebanon, Mount of Lebanon and Beka’a) during the wet and dry seasons. The analyses were carried out by double focussing sector field inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to avoid errors due to polyatomic interferences. Levels of toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb) were generally below the WHO permissible levels in dairy products. Concentrations of most elements were considerably affected by the type of cheese, the geographical site and the season of sampling.     

Aluminium,nickel, cadmium and lead in candy products and assessment of daily intake by children in Spain

Aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels in a total of 263 samples of 12 types of candies widely consumed in Spain, were evaluated. Samples were analysed using an ICP-MS method after acidic sample mineralization. Concentration ranges of Al, Ni, Cd and Pb were 21.28–62.91 µg g^?1, 0.40–1.27 µg g^?1, 0.12–1.01 µg g^?1 and 1.03–7.14 µg g^?1, respectifgvely. Statistically significant positive correlations were calculated between concentrations of Ni–Al and Pb–Cd (p-values < 0.05). Taking into consideration the relatively high metal content, together with the high caloric density of these products, as well as high content of particular nutrients such as sugars that can induce development of certain pathologies like obesity and caries, indicate that frequent consumption of candy products is not recommended.     

Safety evaluation of the metals in some brands of nail polish in Nigeria

This article shows the concentrations of ten metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn and Al) measured in 30 different brands of nail polish in the Nigerian market in order to provide some relevant information on the safe levels of these products for consumers. The metal concentrations in the nail polish samples ranged from <0.15 µg/g Cd, <0.03 to 7.25 µg/g Pb, <0.03 to 40 µg/g Ni, <0.1 to 8.25 µg/g Cr, <0.03 to 590 µg/g Cu, <0.03 to 3.00 µg/g Co, <0.1 to 15,200 µg/g Fe, <0.05 to 458 µg/g Mn, <0.03 to 595 µg/g Zn and <0.25 to 13,600 µg/g Al. The concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Co were found above the suggested allergenic limit of 1 µg/g in 56, 33 and 17 % of the 30 brands, respectively, whereas Cd and Pb were detected at levels below their permissible limits as impurities in cosmetics as specified by Health Canada. The brands made in Nigeria contained lower concentrations of Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Pb and Al than the imported brands.     

Trace metals in raw cows’ milk and assessment of transfer to Comté cheese

As part of a program to assess the transfer of metals from soil to dairy products, the transfer of metal trace elements to milk and cheese was studied. Concentrations of non-essential (Cd and Pb) and essential elements (Cu and Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in 61 samples of raw milk and 21 of the corresponding cheese. While metal concentrations (dry weight) in raw milk were very low (Cd: 0.34–1.01 ng/g; Pb: 0.009–0.126 μg/g; Cu: 0.28–1.71 μg/g; Zn: 20.62–30.96 μg/g), concentrations in the corresponding cheese were significantly higher (Cd: 0.68–11.37 ng/g; Pb: 0.020–0.925 μg/g; Cu: 5.35–21.34 μg/g; Zn: 33.66–63.41 μg/g). The retention factor R_t suggests a concentration effect during the cheese making process, especially in the case of Cu, due to the use of large copper vats. Concentrations of non-essential elements (Cd and Pb) in cheese largely remained below those considered as dangerous for consumers. Finally, Comté cheese may constitute a useful source of Cu and Zn in human diet.     

Heavy metal levels in two fish species Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in muscle, gill and liver of two fish species (Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus) caught from Saricay, South-West Anatolia. Levels of metals varied depending on different tissues in species. The mean concentrations (μg g⁻¹ wet weight) of heavy metals in tissues of Leucis cephalus were as follows: Cd: 0.010–0.084, Co: nd–0.131, Cu: 0.193–2.611, Fe: 4.240–172.000, Mn: 0.112–24.230, Pb: 0.068–0.874, Zn: 6.350–28.550, and in tissues of Lepomis gibbosus were as follows; Cd: 0.008–0.082, Co: nd–0.233, Cu: 0.065–4.360, Fe: 11.200–125.000, Mn: nd–12.434, Pb: 0.070–0.920, Zn: 6.540–16.064. Ni was not determined in all organs studied.     

Metal content determination in four fish species from the Adriatic Sea

Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in muscle tissues of four fish species: anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus), mackerel (Scomber japonicus), red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) and picarel (Spicara smaris) from the Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea during 2008 and 2009. Metal levels measured in anchovy were in the following ranges (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–54.8, Cd 0.001–0.02, Cu 0.001–6.29, Hg 0.001–0.52 and Pb 0.001–0.34 mg kg⁻¹. Metal ranges in red mullet were (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–70.9, Cd 0.002–0.85, Cu 0.001–57.3, Hg 0.001–2.07 and Pb 0.001–0.27 mg kg⁻¹. Metal level ranges measured in mackerel were (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–36.4, Cd 0.001–0.1, Cu 0.001–15.9, Hg 0.001–0.78 and Pb 0.002–0.24 mg kg⁻¹. In picarel, metal level ranges were (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–54.6, Cd 0.001–0.1, Cu 0.08–32.9, Hg 0.001–0.207 and Pb 0.001–0.46 mg kg⁻¹. Significant differences in metal concentrations were found among fish species. The results presented on metal contents in the examined species give an indication of the environmental conditions. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb obtained were far below the established values by the European Community regulations. However, arsenic levels found in red mullet were higher than the recommended legal limits for human consumption and as such may present a human health issue.     

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and wild source in Missouri

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish muscles (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and natural pond in Missouri were determined using the inductively coupled-plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and the direct mercury analyzer (DMA). Dietary intake rates of trace elements were estimated. Dogfish muscle (DORM-2) and lobster hepatopancreas (TORT-2) reference standards were used in trace element recovery and method validations. The average elemental concentrations (mg/kg diet, dry wt.) of fish feed were: As 1.81, Cd 2.37, Co 0.10, Cr 1.42, Cu 8.0, Fe 404, Mn 35.9, Ni 0.51, Pb 9.16, Se 1.71, Sn 20.7, V 0.09, Zn 118 and Hg 0.07. The mean elemental concentrations (μg/kg wet wt.) in bluegill muscles from both aquaculture and wild (in parenthesis) sources were: As 0.36 (0.06), Cd 0.28 (0.01), Co 0.0 (0.0), Cr 0.52 (0.05), Cu 0.38 (0.18), Fe 17.5 (2.43), Mn 0.18 (0.24), Ni 0.18 (0.04), Pb 1.03 (0.04), Se 0.34 (0.30), Sn 0.66 (0.42), V 0.02 (0.01), Zn 6.97 (9.13) and Hg 0.06 (0.24). Kruskal–Wallis chi square indicated significant differences in As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, Zn and Hg (P < 0.001), Se (P < 0.01) and Mn (P < 0.05) across the sampling locations. Dietary intake rates, estimated from weekly consumption of 228 g of aquaculture and wild bluegills, posed no health risks for approximately 85% of all samples.     

Assessment of Essential and Toxic Mineral Elements in Bitter Gourd (Momordica Charantia) Fruit

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), overall diabetes prevalence in adult population is around 20%. Along with, or instead of oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin, some patients use bitter gourd (Momrodica charantia) because of its hypoglycemic properties. The aim of this study was to assess the essential (Ca, Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Mo) and toxic (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) trace elements of bitter gourd using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean concentrations of each essential element were compared with literature data. Toxic As and Cd could not be detected, while Hg and Pb concentrations in our samples were much lower compared to values reported previously from contaminated areas. Results obtained in our study after ICP-MS/MW analysis, indicate that bitter gourd can be a good source of essential elements.