Toxic and nutrient elements in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

Toxic and nutrient elements were investigated in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) from South America. Fifty-four brands of commercialised yerba mate from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay were analysed for Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Li, Be, Ti, V, Cr, Ni, Co, As, Se, Rb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, La, Ce, Pb, Bi and U using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Antimony, Se, Ag and Bi were not detected in any sample whereas the limits of detection (LODs) of these elements were 0.19, 0.40, 0.003 and 0.001 μg g^?1, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the concentrations of Cd, Ti, Ni, As, Mo, U, Li and Be in yerba mate were not statistically different with regard to the country of origin, while those of the other investigated elements differed.     

Toxic and essential elements in butter from the Black Sea region,Turkey

In this study, 88 randomly selected samples of butter produced in the Black Sea region of Turkey were purchased from different retail markets during different periods and investigated for toxic and essential elements content. Quantitative analyses of elements in the samples were performed using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Mean concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn in the butter samples were 18.93, 100.32, 384.66, 4199.1, 887.47, 168.64, 56.13, 16.34 and 384.66 µg kg^?1, respectively. Cd and Co were detected in 19 (mean content 0.29 µg kg^?1) and 81 (mean content 3.81 µg kg^?1) samples of 88 butter samples, respectively. However, the dietary intake of these elements by the population of the Black Sea region is currently well below the dietary reference intake (DRI) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) levels of essential and toxic elements.     

Toxic and essential elements in Nigerian rice and estimation of dietary intake through rice consumption

In this study, levels and estimated daily intake (EDI) of two toxic elements, Cd and Pb, and eight essential elements: Ca, P, Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Se and Mo, were determined in Nigerian rice samples. The mean levels of Cd, Pb and Co were 5.43 ± 0.88, 38.66 ± 5.42, 25.8 ± 3.18 ng/g. The mean levels of Ca, P, Zn, Mn, Cu, Se and Mo were 71.5 ± 7.31, 951 ± 52.0, 10.2 ± 0.63, 8.5 ± 0.47, 3.07 ± 0.18, 40.1 ± 9.2 and 0.39 ± 0.05 µg/g, respectively. The percentage contribution to the reference values for each element was 0.54, 7.71, 0.38, 9.51, 8.97, 31.3, 30.7, 5.1 and 60.7% for Cd, Pb, Ca, P, Zn, Mn, Cu, Se and Mo, respectively. The elemental nutrient levels in Nigerian rice samples are comparable to those obtained from other regions and their consumption does not pose any serious health risk to consumers.     

Toxic and essential elements in five tree nuts from Hangzhou market,China

In this study, a total of 35 tree nut samples of walnut, pecan, pine seed, hickory nut and torreya were obtained from 5 farm product markets in Hangzhou, China, and investigated for essential (Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo, Cu, Zn, Se and Sr) and toxic (Al, As, Cd and Pb) elements by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectroscopy. Mean elemental concentrations of different tree nuts were in the following ranges: Cr 0.26–0.78 mg kg^–1, Mn 42.1–174 mg kg^–1, Fe 33.7–43.9 mg kg^–1, Mo 0.11–0.48 mg kg^–1, Cu 10.3–17.6 mg kg^–1, Zn 21.6–56.1 mg kg^–1, Se 0.015–0.051 mg kg^–1, Al 1.44–37.6 mg kg^–1, As 0.0062–0.047 mg kg^–1, Cd 0.016–0.18 mg kg^–1 and Pb 0.0069–0.029 mg kg^–1. The estimated provisional tolerable daily intake of Al, As, Cd and Pb was much lower than the provisional tolerable daily intake.     

Trace elements in farmed fish (Cyprinus carpio,Ctenopharyngodon idella and Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Beijing: implication from feed

Concentrations of 30 trace elements, Li, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Mo, Zn, Se, Sr, Co, Al, Ti, As, Cs, Sc, Te, Ba, Ga, Pb, Sn, Cd, Sb, Ag, Tm, TI, Be, Hg and U in major cultured freshwater fish species (common carp-Cyprinus carpio, grass carp-Ctenopharyngodon idella and rainbow trout-Oncorhynchus mykiss) with the corresponding feed from 23 fish farms in Beijing, China, were investigated. The results revealed that Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Sr, Se were the major accumulated essential elements and Al, Ti were the major accumulated non-essential elements, while Mo, Co, Ga, Sn, Cd, Sb, Ag, Tm, U, TI, Be, Te, Pb and Hg were hardly detectable. Contents of investigated trace elements were close to or much lower than those in fish from other areas in China. Correlation analysis suggested that the elemental concentrations in those fish species were relatively constant and did not vary much with the fish feed. In comparison with the limits for aquafeeds and fish established by Chinese legislation, Cd in 37.5% of rainbow trout feeds and As in 20% of rainbow trout samples exceeded the maximum limit, assuming that inorganic As accounts for 10% of total As. Further health risk assessment showed that fish consumption would not pose risks to consumers as far as non-essential element contaminants are concerned. However, the carcinogenic risk of As in rainbow trout for the inhabitants in Beijing exceeded the acceptable level of 10^?4, to which more attention should be paid.     

Heavy metals in vegetables sold in the local market in Jordan

Heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in various vegetables (cabbage, green onion, lettuce, parsley, rocket, spinach, carrot, onion, potato and cauliflower) from the market in Jordan were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn ranged from 0.009–0.275 mg kg^?1 wet weight, 0.004–0.060 mg kg^?1, 0.003–0.401 mg kg^?1, 0.105–3.51 mg kg^?1, 0.15–1.15 mg kg^?1, 0.93–14.39 mg kg^?1, 0.044–0.702 mg kg^?1, 0.072–0.289 mg kg^?1 and 2.23–6.65 mg kg^?1, respectively. Parsley, followed by spinach, contained the highest concentration of heavy metals. Onion contained high levels of toxic heavy metals. The content of Cu in parsley and spinach and Pb in onion exceeded the Codex limits. However, the daily intake of heavy metals from the tested vegetables was lower than the maximum limits for allowable intake.     

Elements in rice on the Swedish market: Part 2. Chromium,copper, iron,manganese, platinum,rubidium, selenium and zinc

A survey of the levels of some essential and non-essential trace elements in different types of rice available on the Swedish retail market was carried out in 2001–03. The types of rice included long and short grain, brown, white, and parboiled white. The mean levels found were: chromium (Cr)?=?0.008 mg kg^?1, copper (Cu)?=?1.9 mg kg^?1, iron (Fe)?=?4.7 mg kg^?1, manganese (Mn)?=?16 mg kg^?1, platinum (Pt)?<?0.0003 mg kg^?1, rubidium (Rb)?=?3.3 mg kg^?1, selenium (Se) =0.1 mg kg^?1; and zinc (Zn)?=?15 mg kg^?1. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the determination of Pt, Rb, and Se, after acid digestion. All other elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after dry ashing. Intake calculations were performed and it was concluded that rice may contribute considerably to the daily requirements of the essential elements Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn if rice consumption is high. The levels of some elements, e.g. Fe and Mn, were significantly higher in brown compared with white rice.     

Intake of essential and non-essential elements from consumption of octopus,cuttlefish and squid

Total concentrations of essential (Cu, Zn, Se and Cr) and non-essential (Hg, Cd, Pb and As) trace elements were measured in the flesh and hepatopancreas of Octopodidae (Eledone moschata, Eledone cirrhosa, Octopus salutii), Sepiidae (Sepia elegans, Sepia orbignyana) and Loliginidae (Illex coindeti, Loligo vulgaris) from the Mediterranean Sea. As expected, the hepatopancreas showed higher metal concentrations than flesh; the only exceptions were Hg and As, which were equally distributed in the two tissues. Regarding the edible portion, the highest toxic metal concentrations were in Octopodidae (Hg: 0.44, Cd: 0.49, Pb: 0.10 µg g^?1 wet weight) and Sepiidae (Hg: 0.27, Cd: 0.50, Pb: 0.12 µg g^?1 wet weight), while Loliginidae tended to accumulate less metal, especially Hg (Hg: 0.11, Cd: 0.30, Pb: 0.05 µg g^?1 wet weight). The other elements showed a heterogeneous distribution among the different cephalopod families. Loliginidae showed the highest Se concentrations (1.18 µg g^?1 wet weight), Octopodidae of Cu (37.37 µg g^?1 wet weight) and Zn (42.00 µg g^?1 wet weight) and Sepiidae of As (61.43 µg g^?1 wet weight), while Cr was uniformly distributed among the various families (0.38–0.43 µg g^?1 wet weight). In these seafoods, the concentrations of essential and non-essential elements were within the prescribed limits set by various authorities, except for Cu and As. Health risks posed by toxic elements to humans via dietary intake of these mollusks were assessed on the basis on Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI), while the estimated intakes of essential elements were compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (RDIs). A 70-g serving of these mollusks was shown to provide a large contribution to Cd intake (0.89 µg kg^?1 body weight), corresponding to 35.6% of PTWI. Concerning the essential elements, the consumption of these mollusks made an important contribution to daily dietary intake of Se, Cu and Zn.     

Survey of 13 trace elements of toxic and nutritional significance in rice from Brazil and exposure assessment

Twenty-seven rice samples from Brazil, four parboiled brown, seventeen white and six parboiled white were analysed by ICP-MS for trace element determination. Concentrations of arsenic varied from 58.8 to 216.9?ng?g^?1, for cadmium from 6.0 to 20.2?ng?g^?1, for antimony from 0.12 to 1.28?ng?g^?1, and for uranium from 0.025 to 1.28?ng?g^?1. The estimated daily intake through rice consumption was 9.5?µg for As, 2.4?µg for Cd, 0.029?µg for Sb, 0.013?µg for U, 3.1?µg for Co, 0.2?µg for Cu, 85.6?mg for Mg, 1.9?mg for Mn, 333?mg for P, 3.0?µg for Se, 1.6?mg for Zn, 0.9?mg for Rb, and 0.3?µg for V. Found values represent a considerable percentage of the dietary reference intakes and provisional tolerable daily intake for essential and toxic elements, respectively.     

Metal content and distribution in fenugreek cultivated in Pakistan

The metal contents in 42 fenugreek samples, cultivated in various agricultural areas of Pakistan, were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of the metals—Cu, Mn, Cd, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb, Zn, Fe, Na and K—were found to be higher than those reported earlier. Particularly, the samples cultivated near the major industrial cities showed significantly higher levels of almost all the metals investigated in this study. The high concentration ranges of toxic metals, such as Cd 1·0–2·8, Pb 2·5–3·4, and Cr 17–19·8 mg kg^?1, in a fairly large number of samples suggest a possible increase of the overall intake of these metals to potentially harmful levels.     

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.     

微波消解-ICP-MS测定石阡苔茶中17种矿物质元素

建立微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定石阡苔茶中Na、Mg、K、Ca、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Cu、Zn、As、Se 、Mo、Cd、Sb、Hg、Pb等17种矿物质元素。结果表明,17种元素在0～1 000 ng/mL范围内呈良好的线性关系(R≥0.999 0),检出限为0.001～23.720 ng/mL,加标回收率为91.63%～104.45%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.26%～5.34%,精密度试验结果RSD值为0.002%～8.450%,该方法快速简单、准确、灵敏度高,能满足石阡苔茶中17种矿物质元素的检测需求。石阡苔茶样品中K元素含量最高,其次是Ca元素,必需微量元素含量从大到小顺序为：Fe、Zn、Cu、Cr、Co、Se、Mo。Hg、Pb、Cd、As 4种重金属元素含量均符合国家标准和农业部行业标准。     

Metal Determination in Tea,Wheat, and Wheat Flour Using Diluted Nitric Acid,High-Efficiency Nebulizer,and Axially Viewed ICP OES

This study deals with the determination of Cu, Al, Cd, Mo, Pb, V, Sr, Ni, Cr, Co, Zn, Mn, and Fe in tea, wheat grain, and wheat flour by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) with axially viewed plasma. Ultrasonic nebulization (USN) or pneumatic nebulization with aerosol desolvation (PN/DES) is used to introduce the sample solution into the ICP. Solutions of nitric acid (HNO₃) with different concentrations of the acid (4.6 to 9.1 mol L^?1) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were investigated for sample decomposition in closed vessel (made of TFM-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) under microwave irradiation. Certified reference materials of tea, wheat flour, or bush branches and leaves were analyzed (0.5 g of sample in the presence of 2 mL H₂O₂?+?3 mL HNO₃?+?2 mL H₂O). Element concentrations found were in accordance with those certified in most cases, excepting for Al and V. Plasma-related matrix effects were not observed as denoted by the signal of the Ar 420.069-nm emission line. The analyte recoveries in spiked chamomile tea and wheat flour samples ranged from 87 to 107 %. By using USN, the limits of quantification (LOQs) of Cu, Al, Cd, Mo, Pb, V, Sr, Ni, Cr, Co, Zn, Mn, and Fe were 0.033, 0.006, 0.023, 0.33, 2.0, 0.33, 0.001, 0.33, 0.07, 0.033, 0.07, 0.001, and 0.02 μg g^?1, respectively. Quite similar LOQs were obtained for both nebulizers employed, with the exception of Pb; the LOQ of Pb was three times lower by using PN/DES. Commercialized tea, wheat grain, and wheat flour were analyzed, and the concentrations found were reported.     

Comparison of different digestion methods of green and black tea at the Sarajevo market for the determination of the heavy metal content

The content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was determined in commercially available black and green tea from Sarajevo market. The concentrations of metals in tea infusion and solutions prepared by applying four digestion methods were determined by using FAAS. The results show that the highest concentration of total metals was obtained after acid digestion in an autoclave. The concentration of metals soluble in water obtained in tea infusion does not exceed maximum allowed values provided by WHO (Guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2011). Among the investigated metals Mn was the highest and ranged from 286 to 334 μg g^?1 in tea infusion of green and black tea, respectively, to 1,078 and 1,528 μg g^?1 total content of Mn in green and black tea, respectively. The concentration of heavy metals in water extracts of tea was distinctly low in comparison with the total content. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were under the determination limit using FAAS. The total content of all determined metals was higher in black tea than in green tea.     

Metal levels in Trachurus trachurus and Cyprinus carpio in Turkey

Concentrations of five toxic metals were determined in two fish species from Turkish cities during 2010–2011. The obtained lead concentrations for all of the studied Trachurus trachurus (mean 777 μg kg^?1) and Cyprinus carpio (mean 439 μg kg^?1) samples were found to be higher than the maximum level (ML) of 300 μg kg^?1, while Cd concentrations in the same samples were lower than the ML. Mean chromium (501 μg kg^?1), Ni (272 μg kg^?1) and Cu (785 μg kg^?1) concentrations in T. trachurus were significantly higher than in C. carpio (336 μg Cr kg^?1, 229 μg Ni kg^?1 and 394 μg Cu kg^?1), similar to those of Pb and Cd. Measured Pb concentrations in T. trachurus tissues are significantly higher than the ML, while those of Cd in both T. trachurus and C. carpio species were lower than the ML values.     

A Practical Method for the Determination of Al,B, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, Mg,Mn, Pb,and Zn in Different Types of Vinegars by Microwave Induced Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

A practical method was described for determining Al, B, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn in various vinegar samples using microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES). Prior to analysis, vinegar samples were diluted to appropriate volumes and then directly aspirated to the plasma. All determinations were performed using aqueous standards for calibration. The analytes added to the vinegar samples were recovered quantitatively (between 93 and 104 %). The LOD values for Al, B, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn were 0.62, 7.67, 4.55, 0.52, 1.22, 5.72, 1.32, 0.35, 2.42, and 26.0 μg L^?1, respectively. Finally, the analyte concentrations in various types of vinegar samples produced in Turkey were determined and found below maximum allowable values stated by the Turkish Food Codex.     

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.     

Essential elements and contaminants in tissues of commercial pelagic fish from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

BACKGROUND: It is important to determine the concentrations of essential and non‐essential metals in fish for human health. The essential elements and contaminants (Pb and Cd) were determined seasonally in the muscle and liver of some pelagic fish species round herring (Etrumeus teres), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) and Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) from the Iskenderun Bay, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. RESULTS: The Na, K, Ca and Mg were the most abundant elements in muscle and liver tissues. The Na, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in fish tissues were between 51.7 and 3426 mg kg^?1. Muscle accumulated the lowest levels of elements. Trace element and contaminant levels in muscle were highest in spring and summer. The Cu, Zn and Cr concentrations were highest in summer. The Ni, Mn and Fe concentrations were highest in spring. The maximum Pb concentrations in the muscle and liver of fish species was 0.39 and 0.80 mg kg^?1 in autumn. The maximum Cd concentration in the muscle of fish was 0.27 mg kg^?1 in spring and the maximum Cd concentration in the liver was 0.78 mg kg^?1 in summer. CONCLUSION: The Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn levels in muscle were found to be lower than permissible limits reported by various authorities. Estimated weekly and daily intake for Pb and Cd by consumption of fish muscle were far below the PTWI and PTDI values established by FAO/WHO. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical characterisation of Nephrops norvegicus from Portuguese coast

BACKGROUND: Among seafood products, crustaceans are an important group owing to their nutritional benefits and high market value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proximate composition as well as essential and non‐essential elements in the edible muscle of Nephrops norvegicus (Norway lobster). RESULTS: The studied crustacean showed a high protein level of about 210 g kg^?1 and a mineral level of about 24 g kg^?1. The pattern for the elements studied was Cl > Na > K > P > S > Ca > Mg > Br > Fe > Sr ≈ Zn > Cu > Mn > Rb > Se > Ni > Cr. Regarding non‐essential elements, the average total Hg content was 0.40 mg kg^?1, but two samples exceeded the legal limit set by the European Union (EU) for Hg in crustaceans (0.50 mg kg^?1). The levels of Pb and Cd found in all samples were below the EU limits (0.50 mg kg^?1 for both metals). CONCLUSION: Nephrops norvegicus is a good source of protein and contains most minerals at levels sufficient to satisfy the dietary reference intake. The amounts of Pb and Cd are not a concern. Hg levels indicate some contamination; however, taking into account the type of consumption of this species, it can be concluded that this does not represent a risk in terms of the human diet. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Survey of iron,zinc, calcium,copper, lead,and cadmium in rice samples grown in Iran

In the present study ninety nine polished white rice samples were collected in three areas, all over Lorestan Province located in the west of Iran, and analysed for six elements by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). For individual elements, Zinc (Zn) showed the highest concentration among the analysed essential elements with a mean of 28.6 mg kg^?1 and next to copper (Cu) of 22.8 mg kg^?1. Analysis of the essential and toxic elements for possible inter-area variation by ANOVA showed that there are significant differences between the areas. There was no significant difference between areas for Zn concentrations. Most of the samples nearly contained world wide average concentration of iron (Fe) and Zn in rice grains that were reported by various researches. But, the content of calcium (Ca) in the rice samples produced in Lorestan Province were much lower than other countries, meanwhile Cu concentrations were much higher than other studies. Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) concentrations in the sampled rice were lower in comparison with their upper limits (0.1 and 0.2 mg kg^?1 for Cd and Pb, respectively) approved by Iranian Ministry of Health. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no health problems result from Lorestan rice consumption, for these two elements.