Toxic and trace elements in liver, kidney and meat from cattle slaughtered in Galicia (NW Spain)

The aims of this study were to determine the levels of some toxic and trace metals in cattle meat in Spain and to compare them with concentrations in cattle elsewhere and to maximum acceptable levels. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc concentrations in the liver, kidney and muscle (meat) from 438 calves (6-10 months old) and 56 cows (2-16 years old) slaughtered in Galicia (NW Spain) in 1996 were quantified. The arithmetic mean fresh weight concentrations in calf liver, kidney and muscle respectively were 0.043, 0.055, 0.004mg/kg for arsenic, 0.032, 0.070, 0.001 mg/kg for cadmium, 0.053, 0.052, 0.009 mg/kg for lead, 64.6, 4.91, 0.677mg/kg for copper and 47.7, 14.4, 47.8mg/kg for zinc. In cows, these concentrations were 0.046, 0.068, 0.005mg/kg (arsenic), 0.097, 0.458, 0.001mg/kg (cadmium), 0.057, 0.066, 0.017mg/kg (lead), 60.3, 3.67, 1.26 mg/kg (copper) and 59.8, 20.0, 52.7mg/kg (zinc). Except for copper levels in the liver which were high, metal concentrations in cattle were generally low in Galicia and broadly similar to those in the rest of Europe, Australia and Canada. Arsenic, cadmium and lead concentrations in Galician cattle rarely exceeded acceptable maximum concentrations that have been adopted by many countries. Copper and zinc concentrations in Galician cattle did exceed acceptable maximum concentrations but the frequency with which this occurred depended upon which acceptable maximum concentration was used; regulatory values differ markedly between countries.     

Assessment of concentrations of toxic elements in aquaculture food products in Malaysia

Thirteen species of aquaculture food products, including fresh water and marine fish, prawns, and seaweed were collected from 37 aquaculture farms in Malaysia. Muscle and liver specimens from these species were tested for the presence of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn by using a heat vaporisation atomic absorption spectrophotometer and an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer. Sea bass from each collected site were comparatively studied, where As concentrations were assumed to be caused by different culture system; and, Hg and Pb concentration were assumed to be due to anthropogenic activities in specific sites. The calculated estimated intake values of Malaysians for total As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in the muscle of the examined species were 3.713, 0.115, 0.113, 4.268, 0.211, 0.738 and 15.863 μg/kg b.w./day. None of the values exceeded the JECFA guideline values and would pose no health hazards for consumers.     

US Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study: intake of nutritional and toxic elements, 1991-96

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted the Total Diet Study (TDS) annually since 1961. The TDS is designed to monitor the US food supply for levels of toxic chemical contaminants (pesticide residues, industrial chemicals and toxic elements) and nutritional elements. Foods are generally collected four times a year, once from each of four regions of the country. The foods are prepared table-ready before being analysed. From the results of the TDS, dietary intakes of these analytes are estimated for selected age- sex groups in the US population. This paper reports on the dietary intake of 10 nutritional and four toxic elements based on measurements made in foods collected in the TDS between 1991 and late 1996. Average daily intakes were estimated for 14 age-sex groups in the US population, as well as the contribution of specific food groups to total intakes. For most nutritional elements, teenage boys and adult males had the highest daily intakes. Intakes by infants were below the intake references for seven of 10 nutritional elements, and young girls and women had inadequate intakes of at least half the nutritional elements. Intakes by children between 2 and 10 years of age, teenage boys, and adult males met or exceeded the reference intakes for the majority of nutritional elements. Intakes by all population groups were well below the reference intakes for all toxic elements.     

Monitoring the content and intake of trace elements from food in Denmark

The content of cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury and selenium in 83 foods was monitored from 1993 to 1997. In comparison with similar results from 1988 to 1992, a general decrease in lead levels had occurred, whereas the contents of cadmium, nickel, mercury and selenium were stable or declined only slightly. The distribution in dietary intake of the five trace elements was estimated by combining the mean trace element concentrations with food consumption data from 1837 Danes aged 15-80 years. The lead intake for 1993-97 showed a decrease in comparison with similar estimates from the previous monitoring cycles: 1983-87 and 1988-92. The intake of cadmium and mercury decreased to a lesser extent, whereas the intake of selenium and nickel remained unchanged in the same period. The dietary intake of trace elements was compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The 95th percentile of the distribution in cadmium intake amounts to 34% of PTWI, which is relatively high, and therefore calls for a more detailed future risk assessment. The intakes of lead and mercury were 11% of PTWI and, like the intake of nickel, did not cause any health concern in the adult population. The Danes ingest close to 100% of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendation for selenium at 50 μg day -1 , and no individuals had an intake less than the lower limit of 20 μg day -1 .     

Cadmium intake of moose hunters in Finland from consumption of moose meat, liver and kidney

Although the average cadmium intake in Finland is about 10 μg day^-1, some risk groups can be identified. This study assessed cadmium intake from the consumption of moose meat, liver and kidneys by moose hunters. Consumption data from a postal questionnaire were combined with a representative database on moose cadmium concentrations. Cadmium intakes were calculated as point estimates for all respondents (n = 711), for those consuming moose meat, liver and/or kidneys, and for the highest decile of those. Probabilistic modelling using the Monte Carlo technique was used to simulate the distribution of dietary cadmium exposure. Of the respondents, 69% consumed moose liver and only 23% moose kidneys. The consumption of moose liver or kidneys significantly increased cadmium intake, whereas moose meat (median consumption 17 kg year^-1 person^-1) contributed only slightly (0.16 μg day^-1 person^-1) to the daily total cadmium intake. In the simulation, 10% of the moose hunters had an intake of > 8.76 μg day^-1 (14.6% of PTWI for a 60-kg person) from moose. Point estimates provided only a partial understanding of the potential exposure. Simulated distributions of intake were more useful in characterizing exposure. The study revealed that heavy users of moose organs have a relatively narrow safety margin from the levels of cadmium probably causing adverse health effects.     

Determination of cadmium, chromium, lead and vanadium in six fish species from the Adriatic Sea

Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, lead and vanadium were determined in samples of six fish species collected along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The concentrations of the elements studied were generally low, often below the detection limits of the analytical methods. The highest values (μg kg^-1 fresh weight) were observed, mainly in the central area of the Adriatic Sea, for anchovy (Cd 20.2, Cr 82.9, Pb 45.9, V 89.9), red mullet (Cd 3.1, Cr 31.0, Pb 36.0, V 79.1) and mackerel (Cd 7.7, Cr 28.0, Pb 11.4, V 43.5). The concentrations of cadmium and lead in all the species examined were below the maximum levels indicated by the European Community for these two elements in seafood, and also would lead to exposure levels lower than the provisional tolerable daily intakes suggested by the FAO/WHO for Cd (420 μg week^-1 for a 60-kg person) and Pb (1500 μg week^-1 for a 60-kg person). The concentration of chromium was lower than the recommended daily amount (50-200 μg day^-1 for a 60-kg person) indicated by the US National Research Council. An 11-34% contribution to the daily vanadium ingestion with fish was calculated for the population of the Adriatic coast.     

Comparative study of trace elements in certain fish, meat and meat products

Selenium, copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium, manganese, iron, copper and lead contents of certain fish, meat and meat products consumed in Turkey were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The order of the elements in the meat, meat products and fish samples and their concentration ranges in μg 100 g⁻¹ was Fe (57.7–156.4) > Zn (20–159) > Ni (8.2–24) > Pb (11.5–13.5) > Cr (8.44–9.51) > Cu (7.18–10.01) > Cd (0.77–1.04) > Mn (3.98–10) > Se (1.32–4.6). The elemental concentrations of fish studied seemed to be close to the international standards. The highest trace element concentrations were obtained from past?rma, meat and sausage while the lowest value was observed in Trachurus trachurus (saurel). Iron concentrations in all samples were higher than the recommended values.     

Iron content in common Cambodian fish species: Perspectives for dietary iron intake in poor,rural households

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional disorder in Cambodia. Sixteen Cambodian fish species were screened for iron, zinc and calcium contents. Esomus longimanus has a higher iron content (451 mg Fe/kg dry matter, SD = 155, n = 4) than other species. Iron pools were measured as inorganic iron (I-Fe) by the ferrozine method, haem-bound iron (H-Fe) by the acetone method and total iron (T-Fe) by atomic absorption spectrometry. I-Fe + H-Fe accounted for <50% of T-Fe in E. longimanus, indicating a pool of complex bound, probably high-molecular weight non-haem iron (Hm-Fe). In a field study, thirty rural women were interviewed about traditional use of E. longimanus; their cleaning and cooking practices were observed and the amounts of fish consumed were recorded and meal samples were collected for iron analysis. Calculations based on the iron content and a high bioavailability of Hm-Fe showed that a traditional fish meal, sour soup, covered 45% of the daily iron requirement for women.     

毛细管电泳法测定奶粉中的镉、铅和铜

用毛细管区带电泳（CZE）法测定了奶粉中的镉、铅和铜，在10mmol/L苄胺，10mmol/Lα－羟基乙酸，pH=4.0的电泳介质中，3种离子在12min内得到了分离，用间接紫外吸收法在214nm处进行检测，以外标法定量。对样品进行5次测定，峰面积的RSD小于1．6％，回收率在97．8％－102．2％之间，方法简便、快速、灵敏度高、重现性好、测定成本低。     

GFAAS中有机基体改进剂消除食盐基体干扰的研究

为探讨有机基体改进剂消除食盐基体干扰的效果和作用机理，采用维生素C、草酸、酒石酸和草酸作为基体改进剂，比较加入有机基体改进剂前后石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定Pb、Cu和Cd 3个元素的信背比、原子吸收信号与背景的峰值信号的峰型、原子化温度、回收率和精密度。结果表明：采用有机基体改进剂后，原子化信号和背景信号分离，原子化温度降低了100-450℃，信背比提高了5．1～45．8倍。精密度优于5．2％，实际样品的回收串为91．0％-107％。说明有机基体改进剂可有效消除食盐的基体干扰，其作用机理为由于有机基体改进剂本身的表面活性和络合作用，分解产物形成强还原气氛。     

农产品中重金属铅、砷、铬、镉的前处理及检测

介绍农产品中四种常见的重金属:Pb、As、Cr、Cd的检测方法,以及样品的前处理工艺。检测方法以分光光度法、电化学法、原子吸收法、原子荧光法四个大类来分别进行介绍。     

Quantification of cadmium and lead in offal by SF-ICP-MS: Method development and uncertainty estimate

Offal of bovine, ovine and porcine are able to accumulate potentially toxic heavy metals, such as Cd and Pb, posing a risk for human health. For this reason, the Commission Regulation no. 466/2001 provided the maximum admitted levels for these metals in this kind of matrix (Cd, 500 ng g⁻¹ in all kinds of offal; Pb, 500 ng g⁻¹ in liver and 1000 ng g⁻¹ in kidney). A method based on sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for Cd and Pb quantification in calf liver was developed and further applied to offal of different animals. The uncertainty of measurements was calculated according to the Eurachem/Citac Guide. The method LoDs and LoQs were 3.5 and 11 ng g⁻¹ for Cd, and 2.0 and 6.0 ng g⁻¹ for Pb. The repeatability and the intra-laboratory reproducibility showed relative standard deviations equal to 2.25% and 1.99% for Cd and 1.49% and 6.55% for Pb. Relative expanded uncertainties at the mean value in calf liver were 4.74% for Cd and 13.8% for Pb. In Italian offal the following concentration intervals were found (in ng g⁻¹): (i) Cd: calf, from <3.5 in spleen and lung to 96.4 in kidney; lamb, <3.5 in all offal; pig, 114 in liver and (ii) Pb: calf, from 4.03 in lung to 31.8 in liver; lamb, from 4.71 in heart to 279 in liver; pig, 9.19 in liver.     

Contribution of water and cooked rice to an estimation of the dietary intake of inorganic arsenic in a rural village of West Bengal, India

Arsenic contamination of rice plants by arsenic-polluted irrigation groundwater could result in high arsenic concentrations in cooked rice. The main objective of the study was to estimate the total and inorganic arsenic intakes in a rural population of West Bengal, India, through both drinking water and cooked rice. Simulated cooking of rice with different levels of arsenic species in the cooking water was carried out. The presence of arsenic in the cooking water was provided by four arsenic species (arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonate or dimethylarsinate) and at three total arsenic concentrations (50, 250 or 500 µg l^-1). The results show that the arsenic concentration in cooked rice is always higher than that in raw rice and range from 227 to 1642 µg kg^-1. The cooking process did not change the arsenic speciation in rice. Cooked rice contributed a mean of 41% to the daily intake of inorganic arsenic. The daily inorganic arsenic intakes for water plus rice were 229, 1024 and 2000 µg day^-1 for initial arsenic concentrations in the cooking water of 50, 250 and 500 µg arsenic l^-1, respectively, compared with the tolerable daily intake which is 150 µg day^-1.     

Contribution of water and cooked rice to an estimation of the dietary intake of inorganic arsenic in a rural village of West Bengal,India

Arsenic contamination of rice plants by arsenic-polluted irrigation groundwater could result in high arsenic concentrations in cooked rice. The main objective of the study was to estimate the total and inorganic arsenic intakes in a rural population of West Bengal, India, through both drinking water and cooked rice. Simulated cooking of rice with different levels of arsenic species in the cooking water was carried out. The presence of arsenic in the cooking water was provided by four arsenic species (arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonate or dimethylarsinate) and at three total arsenic concentrations (50,?250 or 500?µg?l^?1). The results show that the arsenic concentration in cooked rice is always higher than that in raw rice and range from 227 to 1642?µg?kg^?1. The cooking process did not change the arsenic speciation in rice. Cooked rice contributed a mean of 41% to the daily intake of inorganic arsenic. The daily inorganic arsenic intakes for water plus rice were 229, 1024 and 2000?µg?day^?1 for initial arsenic concentrations in the cooking water of 50, 250 and 500?µg?arsenic?l^?1, respectively, compared with the tolerable daily intake which is 150?µg?day^?1.     

Biologically active polyamines in beef, pork and meat products: A review

Dietary polyamines (PAs) putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in an array of roles in human metabolism. Nevertheless, under some physiological conditions they can be undesirable. Meat and meat products are among important sources of PAs in human nutrition, mainly of SPM. The usual contents of PUT, SPD and SPM in fresh beef and pork are <2, <5 and 20-40mgkg(-1), respectively. Current information on changes of PAs during meat storage corresponds with PUT formation by bacterial activity mainly of pseudomonads and Enterobacteriaceae. However, data on SPD and SPM changes during meat chill-storage have been inconsistent. Culinary processing of meat probably does not change SPD and SPM levels. PUT can be formed in different meat products in relation to the microbial population of the raw materials used and the hygienic level of manufacturing process. SPD and SPM contents seem to remain stable during processing of non-fermented meat products or decrease during dry-cured ham ripening. PUT contents increase commonly to 60-140mgkg(-1) in dry spontaneously fermented sausages, however, contents up to several hundreds mgkg(-1) are not extraordinary. Starter cultures are usually able to decrease PUT formation considerably. SPD and SPM contents in dry fermented sausages are comparable with levels typical for fresh meat. Data on SPD and SPM changes during ripening and storage are inconsistent. A decrease of the both polyamines during a storage period has been usually reported.     

Survey of bottled drinking waters sold in Canada for chlorate, bromide, bromate, lead, cadmium and other trace elements

Mineral, spring and other bottled drinking waters sold in Canada in the winter of 1995-96 were surveyed for chlorate, bromide, bromate, Cr(VI), Li, B, Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, Be, V, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb, Na, K, Ca and Mg. Chlorate and bromide were determined by ion chromatography (IC) with conductivity detection, Cr(VI) by IC with colorimetric detection, bromate by solvent extraction and gas chromatography (GC), trace elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), and Na, K, Ca and Mg by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAA). Most chemicals in the 199 samples analysed were well within national and international drinking water guidelines. World Health Organization and/or Canadian drinking water guidelines were exceeded for B (22 samples), Al (9), Cr (1), Mn (5), Ni (1), As (10), Se (24) and Pb (1). Bromate levels are reported for information purposes and are considered as the maximum concentrations in the samples. In three distilled water products, unexpectedly high concentrations of Cu (88-147 µg l^-1) and Ni (16-35 µg l^-1) were found, and a comparison of distilled and non-distilled waters from two of the brands suggested the likely cause to be contamination during the distillation process. Li concentration in one sample was at a therapeutic dose and could pose an overdose risk to individuals on Li medication.     

Lead and cadmium in tissues from horse, sheep, lamb and reindeer in Sweden

 Levels of lead and cadmium were determined in tissues of muscle, liver and kidney from horse, lamb, sheep and reindeer in Sweden during the years 1994–1997. Mean levels of lead in muscle, liver and kidney from horse were <0.002, 0.13 and 0.047, from lamb <0.002, 0.031 and 0.053, from sheep <0.002, not analysed and 0.046, and from reindeer 0.003, 0.13 and 0.13 mg/fresh weight, respectively. The mean levels of cadmium in muscle, liver and kidney from horse were 0.042, 2.5 and 18, from lamb 0.0019, 0.031 and 0.12, from sheep 0.0034, not analysed and 1.0, and from reindeer 0.003, 0.60 and 2.7 mg/fresh weight, respectively. Comparisons with literature data were attempted. In some cases the results could differ by several orders of magnitude. It cannot be ruled out that some of the differences between studies might be due to analytical differences, making comparisons very difficult. Received: 2 June 1998