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 micronutrient elements in organic,brown and polished rice in Brazil

Concentration levels of As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Tl, Sn, Sb Co, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, Cr, Ni and Mo in different types of rice cultivated in irrigated fields in Brazil were evaluated. Arsenic, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn and Cu were found in higher concentrations in brown rice samples, suggesting the prevalence of these elements in the bran. Meanwhile, lower concentrations of Pb, Mo, Cr, Se and Co were found in parboiled rice. Organic rice did not differ of cultivated conventionally rice. Thallium, Hg and Sb were not detected in any rice sample whose limits of detection were 0.7 μg kg^?1, 2.5 μg kg^?1 and 8 μg kg^?1, respectively. The concentrations of the investigated elements were compared with those reported for polished rice and brown rice from other countries, unveiling concentrations in general at the same level for rice produced at non-contaminated sites.     

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.     

Assessment of mercury and cadmium via seafood consumption in Italy: estimated dietary intake (EWI) and target hazard quotient (THQ)

Mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) were quantified in fish, cephalopods and crustaceans from Italian supermarkets. Sample compliance with European dietary standards as well as human health risks according to provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and the methodology of target hazard quotient (THQ) were evaluated. Both element levels were under European legal limits, except for some fish having Hg and Cd contents exceeding or equal to critical values. Estimated weekly intakes (Hg: fish = 0.07–1.44 µg kg^?1 bw week^–1; cephalopods = 0.05–0.15 µg kg^?1 bw week^–1; crustaceans = 0.04–0.08 µg kg^?1 bw week^–1; and Cd: fish = 0.04–0.32 µg kg^?1 bw week^–1; cephalopods = 0.07–0.27 µg kg^?1 bw week^–1; crustaceans = 0.05–0.11 µg kg^?1 bw week^–1) as well as THQ < 1 were within safe limits. Although there seems to be no important risks associated with seafood consumption, Hg exposure was in some cases close to safety margins and thus levels of this metal should be under frequent surveillance.     

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 soft wheat grain cultivated in Serbia

A survey was carried out with the aim of assessing the level of some toxic (Cd, Pb, Hg and As) and essential (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) elements in wheat grown in Serbia. A total of 433 samples of soft winter wheat grain from all the Serbian wheat-growing regions were pooled into 52 representative samples for 2002 harvest. After wet digestion, Cd, As, and Pb were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), whereas Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Vapour generation accessory was used for Hg determination. The mean and median contents of all samples were (on a dry weight basis) 29 and 24 g/kg for Cd, 137 and 87 g/kg for Pb, 7 and <0.1 g/kg for Hg, 55 and 59 g/kg for As, 4.1 and 4.0 mg/kg for Cu, 24 and 24 mg/kg for Zn, 53 and 53 mg/kg for Fe, 34 and 33 mg/kg for Mn. The calculated mean and median levels of contamination were compared with the recommended or regulated maximum levels according to the European Commission and the national legislation. The average intake of eight selected elements from wheat-based products was estimated for the Serbian population.     

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.     

Co-occurrence of mycotoxins in maize and maize-derived food in China and estimation of dietary intake

ABSTRACT

A total of 576 samples marketed in China, including maize, maize flour, maize grits and maize meal, was determined for the simultaneous presence of 12 mycotoxins (FB₁, FB₂, FB₃, DON, 3-DON, 15-DON, ZEN, AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂ and OTA) using a validated UPLC-MS/MS for multi-mycotoxin method. DON were the most widespread mycotoxins (63%), followed by FB₁ (57%) and ZEN (46%). 78% of the samples was contaminated with at least one of these mycotoxins. Risk assessment indicated that maize and maize-derived food intake does not pose a potential risk for general adult population with respect to individual mycotoxin. However, two or more mycotoxins were detected in 60% of all samples, and a combination of up to seven different mycotoxins was found. A particular attention should be paid to the combined exposure of mycotoxins, in this cases the estimated daily intake might increase greatly due to the high frequency of co-occurrence.     

植物油脂中反式脂肪酸含量及人体摄入量初估

采用气相色谱法对我国常见植物油脂中的反式脂肪酸含量和分布进行了分析,初步估算了我国居民反式脂肪酸的人均日摄入量。精炼植物油脂中反式脂肪酸含量为：大豆油0．89％～3．48％,菜籽油1．97％～4．76％,玉米油1．75％～6．19％,葵花籽油1．48％～2．36％,花生油0．10％～0．47％,棕榈油0．12％～0．28％,其存在形式以反式多不饱和脂肪酸（t—C18：2、t—C18：3）为主;专用油脂中反式脂肪酸含量为：替可可脂（CBR）和植脂末用油40％～50％,代可可脂（CBS）、烘焙和夹心用油中3％～5％,其存在形式以反式单不饱和脂肪酸（t—C18：1）为主。我国居民反式脂肪酸人均日摄入量为1．06g,其中城市1．44g,农村0．92g,分别占日摄入总能量的0．42％、0．61％和0．36％。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Availability of essential trace elements in Indian cereals,vegetables and spices using INAA and the contribution of spices to daily dietary intake

Indian diet is primarily vegetarian and consists of various cereals and vegetables along with spices, often used in the preparation of curries. The nutritive potential of each ingredient, in terms of trace element contents, has been evaluated using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Four minor (Na, K, P and Cl) and 16 trace elements (Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th and Zn) have been determined in six cereals, nine vegetables and 20 spices and condiments, including two betel leaves. None of the carbohydrate-rich cereals or potato was rich in any of the essential elements but leafy vegetables showed higher contents of Fe and other nutrients. Fe/Zn is well correlated with Fe contents in cereals and spices. Out of various spices, cinnamon was most enriched in Fe, Co, Cr, Na, K, P and Zn, whereas turmeric and curry leaves were found to be particularly rich in Se. Cumin and mustard seeds were rich in Cu. Some environmental contaminants, such as Hg, Cr, Br and Th, were also present in significant amounts. An attempt has been made to evaluate the contribution of essential elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, P, Se and Zn) in spices to the daily dietary intake (DDI) through an Indian vegetarian diet. For a typical mixture of six commonly used spices, contributions of Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn, were found to be 7.5% of DDI in each case.     

Cadmium,lead and some other trace elements in Larch Bolete mushrooms (Suillus grevillei) (Klotzsch) Sing., collected from the same site over two years

The aim of this study was to examine the status of some trace metals accumulated in the flesh of Suillus grevillei mushrooms collected from the same site over two successive years. Total Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn contents of fruiting bodies were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) with ultrasonic cross-flow nebuliser. A difference (p < 0.05) was found in the contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb and Sr in caps and Fe, Na, P and Rb (p < 0.05) in stipes (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were not determined in stipes). Natural fluctuations in trace elements’ content of Suillus grevillei collected from the same site over time is a variable that needs to be considered when assessing minerals’ nutritional status of mushrooms.     

Assessment of dietary phytoestrogen intake via plant-derived foods in China

The potential influence of dietary phytoestrogen exposure on human health during different life phases including early childhood is a matter of scientific debate. In order to improve the risk–benefit assessment of exposure to dietary phytoestrogen, reliable and age-stratified exposure data are desirable. For contributing to the database on phytoestrogen exposure, in the present study plant-derived foods from the Chinese market were analysed by LC-MS/MS for their contents of phytoestrogens, including daidzein, genistein, secoisolariciresinol, glycitein and coumestrol. The analytical data showed the presence of phytoestrogens in a concentration range of less than 0.1 to about 50 μg g^?1. Dietary intake was assessed on the basis of average food intake data obtained from interviewing 1000 randomly selected people with the help of food frequency questionnaires. Based on the overall population sampled, the average total phytoestrogen intake was estimated at 232 μg kg^?1 day^?1. Genistein contributed to about 66%, secoisolariciresinol and glycitein to about 10% each, and daidzein to about 7% of the overall intake. Coumestrol was present only in trace amounts. Age-related exposure assessment indicated that pre-pubertal children (aged 0–14 years) were exposed at the highest level with an average total phytoestrogen intake of 621 μg kg^?1 day^?1. The substantially higher average exposure of children as compared with adults should trigger further research into the potential health effects of early life exposure to phytoestrogen.     

微波消解石墨炉原子吸收法测定大米中铅镉

采用微波消解—石墨炉原子吸收法对大米中的铅、镉进行了测定,并与常规湿法消解方法进行了比较。利用国家标准物质杨树叶、甘蓝验证了方法的准确度与精密度。结果表明,采用微波消解法,方法准确度为95．0％～105%,精密度为2．8％～8．4%,该方法能够满足食品分析的要求。     

Total mercury in milled rice and brown rice from China and health risk evaluation

Total mercury (THg) levels in 440 pairs of milled rice samples and brown rice samples from 15 major rice grain-producing provinces of China were measured and the associated health risk via rice consumption for different age categories of Chinese population was also assessed. THg contents were measured by a direct mercury analyser and the limit of detection (LOD) was 1.5 μg kg^?1. The THg levels for milled rice samples and brown rice samples varied from non-detected to 17.8 μg kg^?1 and 1.5 to 25.4 μg kg^?1, respectively, with a mean level of 3.4 μg kg^?1 and 4.9 μg kg^?1, respectively. The THg levels in all milled and brown rice samples were generally low, except three brown rice samples having concentrations above the legally set value for cereals (20 μg kg^?1 Hg). THg intakes for different age categories were estimated according to THg content and corresponding rice consumption and the associated health risk was evaluated by the corresponding provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for THg (5.0 μg kg^?1 bw week^?1), which was established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The 50th percentile of the THg intakes via milled rice and brown rice consumption for different age categories was in the range 0.09–0.19 μg kg^?1 bw week^?1 and 0.14–0.27 μg kg^?1 bw week^?1, respectively, well below the PTWI, suggesting that the associated health risk is relatively low. However, the 99.9th percentile of the THg intakes for 2–4-year-old children amounted up to 20.6% of the PTWI (milled rice) and 29.5% of the PTWI (brown rice), which deserves attention.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs of dairy cows and estimation of total dietary intakes

A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs of dairy cows in the Netherlands and to estimate total dietary intakes of these compounds. Twenty-four dairy farms were visited twice and samples taken of all diet ingredients. Feed intake data were collected by means of questionnaires. A total of 169 feed samples were collected and analyzed for 20 mycotoxins using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry multimethod. Silage and compound feed were the main diet ingredients, representing on average 67 and 23% of dry matter intake, respectively. Deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid were the mycotoxins with the highest incidence. The incidence of DON in silage, compound feed, and feed commodity samples was 38 to 54%. The incidence of zearalenone in silage, compound feed, and feed commodity samples was 17 to 38%. The DON and zearalenone had a low incidence in forage samples and were not detected in ensiled by-product samples. Roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid were only detected in silage and ensiled by-product samples (incidence 7 to 19%). Fumonisins B₁ and B₂ were detected in 2 compound feed samples and one feed commodity sample. Aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂, ochratoxin A, T-2 and HT-2 toxin, 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, diacetoxyscirpenol, sterigmatocystin, fusarenon-X, ergotamine, and penicillinic acid were not detected in any of the samples. Average concentrations of DON, zearalenone, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid in complete diets were 273, 28, 114, and 54 μg/kg, respectively. Maximum concentrations were 969, 203, 2,211, and 1,840 μg/kg, respectively. Calculated average daily intakes of these mycotoxins were 5.0, 0.5, 2.0, and 0.9 mg/animal, respectively, and maximum daily intakes 19.3, 3.5, 38.9, and 32.3 mg/animal, respectively. Corn silage was the major source of all 4 of these mycotoxins in the diet. Extremely high concentrations of roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid (up to 45 and 25 mg/kg, respectively) were detected in visibly molded areas in surface layers of corn silage. These areas appeared to be the main source of roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid in the diet. Because carry-over of DON, zearale-none, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid into milk is negligible, their occurrence in feedstuffs is not considered of significant concern with respect to the safety of dairy products for consumers. Potential implications for animal health are discussed.     

Occurrence of patulin and its dietary intake through apple juice consumption by the Spanish population

A survey was conducted to determine levels and dietary intake of Patulin (PAT) from apple juices consumed in Spain. One hundred samples of apple juice were bought from distinct supermarkets. PAT was extracted by a liquid–liquid extraction technique and analysed with a micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method. 66% of the samples contained PAT over the limit of detection of the method (0.7 μg L⁻¹). The PAT apple juice mean and median levels obtained were 19.4 and 4.8 μg L⁻¹, respectively, in a range between 0.7 and 118.7 μg L⁻¹. In 11% of the samples, PAT contamination exceeded the maximum permitted level of 50 μg L⁻¹ established by the EU regulation. In Spain, no significant variations were observed with respect to data published 15 years ago.