Trace metals in soft and durum wheat from Italy

A survey was carried out with the aim to assess the levels of some toxic (cadmium, lead) and essential (copper, zinc) trace metals in wheat grown in Italy. A total of 178 samples of soft wheat grain and 239 samples of durum wheat grain from all the Italian wheat-growing regions were pooled into 35 and 38 representative samples respectively. After dry ashing, cadmium and lead were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), whereas copper and zinc were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In soft wheat the mean and median contents of all samples were (on a dry weight basis) 40 and 33 mu g kg^-1 for cadmium, 16 and 14 mu g kg^-1 for lead, 3.4 and 3.2 mg kg^-1 for copper, 33 and 32 mg kg^-1 for zinc. Similar levels were found in durum wheat. In this latter case the mean and median were 42 and 39 mu g kg^-1 for cadmium, 15 and 14 mu g kg^-1 for lead, 3.5 and 3.2 mg kg^-1 for copper, 34 and 34 mg kg^-1 for zinc. Significant differences were detected for some metals in relation to geographical provenance and variety. The average intake of the four selected elements from wheat-based products was estimated for the Italian population.     

Levels of metals in reared mussels from Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea,Southern Italy)

Samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis were collected monthly during the period July 1999–June 2000 from two mussel culture areas influenced by urban and industrial wastes. These stations, subjected to different environmental impact conditions, are located in the coastal area of Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). Metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and As) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) in the whole soft tissue of mussels. Seasonal changes in metal concentrations were observed. Metals exhibited maximum values in later winter–early spring, followed by a progressive decrease during the summer.     

Cadmium content in fresh and canned squid (Loligo opalescens) from the Pacific coastal waters of California (USA)

Cadmium (Cd) levels were determined in 70 samples of mantle tissue and 70 whole individual squid (Loligo opalescens; commercially known as California squid). Samples were collected from the coastal zones of California (USA) during the period 2007/2008. To further investigate consumer exposure to processed fishery products, cadmium concentration was also determined in 200 canned samples of squid. Cd concentrations in raw mantle were low, between 0.01 and 0.29 mg kg^?1 and below the tolerance limit of current regulations (1 mg kg^?1). Respective concentrations in whole individuals were significantly higher, ranging from 0.51 to 1.18 mg kg^?1, attributed to the presence of the visceral portion in whole squid samples. Cd concentrations varied in relation to age and sex of squid, indicating that several physiological factors may influence accumulation. Furthermore, canning of squid substantially enhanced Cd levels. Cd concentration ranged 0.17–0.67 mg kg^?1 in canned mantle tissue and 0.86–2.07 mg kg^?1 in canned whole squid samples, due to both concentration after canning and movement of the metal between different tissues. Several biological compounds, including metallothioneins, nucleic acids and enzymes, may affect Cd concentrations in commercial fishery products.     

Determination of metals in fish species from Aegean and Mediterranean seas

Determination of metal levels in muscles and livers of twelve fish species from Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea by ICP-AES was made. The levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in muscles of fish were <0.01–0.39, <0.01–0.45, 0.07–1.48, 0.51–7.05, 9.18–136, 0.18–2.78, 0.03–1.72, 0.21–1.28 and 3.51–53.5 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Metal levels in muscles were generally lower than those in livers. Metal concentrations in the edible parts of fish were assessed for human uses according to provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI). The estimated values of all metals in muscles of fish in this study were below the established values. Therefore, it can be concluded that these metals in edible parts of the examined species should pose no health problems for consumers.     

Trace elements and heavy metals in mineral and bottled drinking waters on the Iranian market

A survey of Iranian waters, sampled from 2010 to 2013, is presented. A total of 128 water samples from 42 different brands of bottled mineral and drinking water were collected and analysed for contamination levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). Determinations were performed using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer for Pb, Cd and Cu, a hydride vapour generation as well as an Arsenator digital kit (Wagtech WTD, Tyne and Wear, UK) for As and a direct mercury analyser for Hg. Arsenic concentration in six bottled gaseous mineral samples was higher than the related limit. Regardless of these, mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, As and Hg in all types of water samples were 4.50 ± 0.49, 1.08 ± 0.09, 16.11 ± 2.77, 5.80 ± 1.63 and 0.52 ± 0.03 µg L^?1, respectively. Values obtained for analysed heavy metals in all samples were permissible according to the limits of national and international standards.     

微量金属元素对乌桕类可可脂氧化稳定性研究(Ⅰ)

油脂中的微量金属元素是影响油脂氧化稳定性的重要因素之一。为评价金属元素对乌桕类可可脂(CTCBE)氧化稳定性的影响,本研究以天然可可脂(CB)作对照,用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)对CTCBE及CB中的微量元素铜、铁、锰、铬、钴、镍、铝、钡进行测定,并用烘箱贮藏法测定它们的氧化稳定性能。结果表明,CTCBE及CB中的这些元素,含量大部分都较低,但Cu、Fe含量比CTCBE还要高,可是CB的氧化稳定性好,而CTCBE极易氧化酸败。     

ICP-MS analysis of a series of metals (Namely: Mg,Cr, Co,Ni, Fe,Cu, Zn,Sn, Cd and Pb) in black and green olive samples from Bursa,Turkey

Ninety-two black and green table olive samples from the Bursa, Turkey were analyzed. The olives were sampled from 56 brands, four processing methods and three packing types. The concentration of Mg, Cr, Co, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sn, Cd and Pb were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). While the most concentrated element was Mg (125.11 ± 5.02), Co (0.09 ± 0.01) had the lowest concentration in tested olive samples. The levels of the ten metals studied are within safe limits. The data here obtained will be valuable in complementing available food composition data, and estimating dietary intakes of heavy metals in Turkey. The metals Mg, Fe, Zn, Sn and Pb presented significant differences (p < 0.05) in content between two types, hence processing method, brand and packing material must influence their content.     

Metals and organochlorine compounds in eel (Anguilla anguilla) from the Lesina lagoon, Adriatic Sea (Italy)

The muscle tissue of eels was analysed for metals (Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs) to ascertain whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum levels fixed by the European Commission. Zinc showed the highest concentrations (mean: 20.2 μg g⁻¹ wet wt), followed by copper (mean: 0.58 μg g⁻¹ wet wt), mercury (mean: 0.18 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) and cadmium (mean: 0.03 μg g⁻¹ wet wt). None of the fish samples analysed presented metal concentrations exceeding the proposed limits. Among the organochlorine pesticides, only p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDT were found with mean values of 19.2 and 3.0 ng g⁻¹ wet wt, respectively, while mean concentrations of PCBs were 94.0 ng g⁻¹ wet wt. With regard to DDT and its metabolites the concentrations were well below the maximum residue limit (MRL), while the mean PCB concentrations, calculated as the sum of the seven “target” congeners indicated by the European Union, exceeded the established limit. From an ecotoxicological point of view, the concentrations of metals and organochlorine compounds reflect a comparatively clean and pollution-free environment. These concentrations may be, thus, considered as useful background levels to which to refer for comparison within the Adriatic Sea.     

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.     

Mineral analysis in rabbit meat from Galicia (NW Spain)

A total of 54 rabbits 50, 70 and 90 days old, were taken from farms in Galicia (NW Spain); 18 rabbits of each age were sampled. The minerals in the muscle meat from the back legs of the rabbits were analysed, and the following average concentrations were found: ash 1.21/100 g, potassium 388 mg/100 g; phosphorus 237 mg/100 g; sodium 60 mg/100 g; magnesium 27 mg/100 g; calcium 8.7 mg/100 g; zinc 10.9 mg/kg; iron 5.56 mg/kg; copper 0.78 mg/kg; and manganese 0.33 mg/kg.

The high potassium and low sodium concentration may make rabbit meat particularly recommended for hypertension diets. Rabbit meat is rich in phosphorus, and 100 g provides approximately 30% of the recommended daily intake. However, rabbit meat provides less zinc and iron than meats of other species. The Galician rabbit meat analysed in this study, shows higher copper and manganese, and lower calcium contents than those found in the literature for rabbit meat of other origins.     

Trace element levels in raw milk from northern and southern regions of Croatia

A total of 157 raw milk samples were collected from tankers arriving at processing facilities from rural areas in northern and southern regions of Croatia during 2009 and 2010. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb in the samples were analysed by graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mean Pb concentrations in northern and southern regions were 58.7 and 36.2 μg l⁻¹, respectively, and both exceeded the maximum recommended level. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 1 to 283 μg l⁻¹ in the southern and to 1019 μg l⁻¹ in the northern regions. Mean Cd and Hg levels were: 1.76 and 1.59 in the northern and 3.4 and 7.1 μg l⁻¹ in the southern region. Significantly higher Cd and Hg levels were observed in the southern than in the northern region (p < 0.001, both). Similar mean Cu levels were found in both regions: 931.9 in the north and 848.4 μg l⁻¹ in the south. The results indicate that particular attention should be paid to Pb residues. In future studies, a greater number of milk samples and grass samples from pastures from different regions of Croatia should be controlled to confirm the absence of possible toxicological risks.     

Heavy metals in some edible mushrooms from the Central Anatolia,Turkey

Eight trace elements (Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr and Ni) in 15 different wild-growing edible mushroom species collected from Eski?ehir, Turkey were determined. The highest Pb, Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations were 11.72, 11460, 480 and 144.2 mg/kg (dry weight basis), respectively. All of these highest metal concentrations were determined in Lepista nuda. Cadmium and chromium were determined at the highest concentrations in Gymnopus dryophilus, 3.24 and 73.8 mg/kg, respectively. The highest zinc and nickel content were observed in Tricholoma equestre and Coprinus comatus as 173.8 and 58.60 mg/kg dry matter, respectively. Mushrooms species determined as important metal accumulators were L. nuda, G. dryophilus, T. equestre and C. comatus, in this study. Heavy metal contents of all analysed mushrooms were generally higher than previously reported in the literature.     

Total carotenoid differences in scallop tissues of Chlamys nobilis (Bivalve: Pectinidae) with regard to gender and shell colour

The aim of this study was to investigate whether total carotenoid content (TCC) in noble scallop Chlamys nobilis is related to body tissue, shell colour, and gender. TCC was determined by a UV–vis recording spectrophotometer in tissue of gonad, adductor, mantle, and gill separately sampled from male and female individuals with orange and brown shell colours from the same cultured population. TCC was significantly different among body tissues, depending on shell colour and gender, ranging from 0.73 to 59.85 μg g⁻¹. In general, TCC was greater in the order of gonad > mantle > adductor > gill. In the same gender, orange shell colour individuals contained significantly higher TCC than brown ones in all four tissues (P < 0.05). In the same shell colour, female contained significantly higher TCC than male in gonad and adductor tissues (P < 0.05).     

Determination of metals in wine with atomic spectroscopy (flame-AAS, GF-AAS and ICP-AES); a review

Metals in wine occur at the mg l 1 level or less and, though not directly related to the taste of the final product, their content should be determined because excess is undesirable, and in some cases prohibited, due to potential toxicity. Lead content in wine, for example, is restricted in several states by legislation to guarantee consumer health protection. Of several methods for metal determination, techniques of atomic spectroscopy are the most sensitive and rapid. Most of the elements present in wine can be determined with these techniques, at concentrations ranging from the mg l -1 to the μg l -1 level. Here, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (flame-AAS) and graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) are compared for their characteristics as employed in metal determination in wine.     

Distribution of trace metals in a ling (Genypterus blacodes) fish fillet

The distribution of trace metals in a ling (Genypterus blacodes) fish fillet was determined from ICP-MS measurements of digests prepared using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, followed by microwave digestion. Most trace elements were inhomogeneously distributed in the muscle tissue of the ling with a non-linear increase in concentration towards the tail end of the fillet. This distribution pattern may be connected to the size variation of the individual muscle cells or the change in the ratio of connective tissue to muscle tissue, suggesting that the observed inhomogeneity of muscle elemental distribution may be inherent to all fish species. The concentration of an element in a sample of fish muscle tissue thus depends on the physical location within the fish from which the sample was dissected. Significant differences in trace element concentrations were also detected between the red and white muscle fibres of ling, as well as between the belly flap and the rest of the musculature.     

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.     

Determination of several elements in duplicate meals from catering establishments using closed vessel microwave digestion with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection: estimation of daily dietary intake

An estimation of the dietary exposure of French consumers to 21 essential and non-essential mineral elements using duplicate meals (breakfast and lunch) purchased from catering establishments was investigated after digestion by a closed vessel microwave procedure and quantification by ICP-MS. Daily dietary exposure estimates for metals and minerals were compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI), the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) or the Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI), as established by the FAO/WHO to estimate the risk of toxicity, and the US Recommended Daily Allowances (US RDA) or the Estimate Safe & Adequate Daily Dietary Intakes (ESADDI). Moreover, comparisons were made with those from previous French studies as well as those from other countries. The estimated mean daily intakes were 11 μg for lithium, 3.42 g for sodium, 192 mg for magnesium, 2.03 mg for aluminium, 3.64 g for potassium, 642 mg for calcium, 154 μg for chromium, 12.3 mg for iron, 2.15 mg for manganese, 4 μg for cobalt, 74 μg for nickel, 925 μg for copper, 10.2 mg for zinc, 147 μg for arsenic, 66 μg for selenium, 112 μg for molybdenum, 3.6 μg for cadmium, 2.32 mg for tin, 3 μg for antimony, 9 μg for mercury and 34 μg for lead. For the non-essential (toxic) elements, aluminium, tin, antimony, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and lead, the daily intake estimates were far below tolerable limits; and similar or somewhat lower than their respective PTWI, ADI, TDI, ESADDI and US RDA for individual minerals and essential trace elements, with good agreement with other country studies. The performance of the multi-elemental ICP-MS technique was also evaluated.     

Trace mineral content of conventional,organic and courtyard eggs analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

We investigated the contents in yolk and albumen of the trace minerals Se, Zn, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, V, Cr, Ni, Tl, As and Cd in eggs from hens from three husbandry systems by ICP-MS. Conventional hens were given a commercial feed with added minerals, organic hens were given a feed based on organic feedstuffs also with added minerals, and courtyard hens were fed on cereals, legumes, grass and swill. Dietary Se, Zn, Mn, Co and Cu concentrations were lower in courtyard compared to conventional and organic diets; Cr concentration was highest in courtyard compared to organic diet. Trace element contents in yolks were higher than those in albumen. The highest content of Se in yolks was in organic, followed by conventional eggs. Zn contents were highest in courtyard yolk, followed by conventional, which in turn was higher than organic. Mn yolk contents were lowest in courtyard eggs; Cr contents were highest in courtyard eggs. The differences in albumen were in Zn and Cr values, which were highest in courtyard eggs. Τhe results provide baseline measurements of trace mineral contents of eggs and suggest measurable differences amongst eggs from hens in different husbandry systems; the physiological significance of these differences are discussed.     

Determination of heavy metals (Cd,Pb) and trace elements (Cu,Zn) in sediments and fish of the Southeastern Aegean Sea (Turkey) by atomic absorption spectrometry

The Bay of Güllük in Southeastern Aegean Sea (Turkey) is very important by the potential of marine product in the Aegean Sea. There are various polluting elements in Güllük Bay. The current situation of the bay and impact of pollutants have became necessity. Dicentrarchus labrax are frequently used for human consumption. In this study, heavy metals (Pb, Cd) and trace elements (Cu, Zn) were analyzed in fish (D. labrax) and sediments in the Bay of Güllük by atomic absorption spectrometry. The average metal concentrations in the fish varied in the following ranges: Pb; <0.02–0.4, Cd; <0.01–0.04, Cu; <0.1, Zn; <0.5–7.2 mg kg⁻¹. In addition, seven sediment samples were analyzed and avarage concentrations of them were found as Zn; 80.8 ± 0.45, Cu; 25.2 ± 0.14, Pb; 20.0 ± 2, Cd; 0.560.08 mg kg⁻¹. The accuracy and precision of our results were checked by using International Certified Reference samples (fish: DORM-2, sediment: HISS-1).     

Trace mineral content of Argentinean raw propolis by neutron activation analysis (NAA): Assessment of geographical provenance by chemometrics

Multielement analysis of raw propolis samples, collected from different central Argentinean regions, was carried out by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) aiming at developing a reliable method in their traceability. This work presents a characterization of 96 raw propolis samples selected from three different geographical origins in middle region of Argentina. Multivariate chemometric techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were applied to perform a preliminary study of the data structure. Two supervised pattern recognition procedures including stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and K-nearest neighbors (kNN) were used to classify samples into the three categories considered on the basis of the chemical data. Eight trace elements (Br, Co, Cr, Fe, Rb, Sb, Sm and Zn) were selected by stepwise-LDA explaining the classification of propolis according to their geographical origin. Application of k-nearest neighbor classification procedure to these eight selected variables produced a good correlation (98% correct classification ratio) of propolis with its provenance. The trace element profiles provided sufficient information to develop classification rules for propolis identification according to their provenance.