Flow injection assessment of nitrate contents in fresh and cooked fruits and vegetables grown in Fiji

Nitrates form part of the essential chemistry of soils and plants. Thus, plant roots are able to absorb nitrate directly from the soil. It has been discovered that human nitrate intake is mainly from vegetables. Vegetables play an important role in human nutrition since they are an outstanding source for vitamins, minerals, and biologically active compounds. In risk assessment of nitrate contents, this study reports the nitrate levels of 8 commonly consumed fruits and vegetables grown in Fiji, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), capsicum (Capsicum annuum var. grossum), breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis), jackfruit (A. heterophyllus), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). The effects of different types of cooking methods, baking, boiling, and frying, have also been studied. The validated flow injection analysis technique has been used to quantify the nitrate-N levels in the chosen products following nitrate extraction using the activated carbon technique. The mean values of nitrate levels in fresh products ranged from 25.83 to 281.02 mg NO(3) (-) kg(-1) . The study shows that boiling reduced nitrate contents by 65.37% to 25.25%. The frying in soy bean oil elevated nitrate contents from 354.79% to 86.69%, but after baking, nitrate contents remained almost constant with slight increasing trend in the case of tomato (19.97%). The nitrate levels published in the literature for the same types of fruits and vegetables studied have also been reviewed and compared. The average nitrate-N values were comparable or lower than overseas data, but did not present unpredictably high values, that is, they were below the risk level.     

A survey of nitrate and oxalate content in fresh vegetables

A survey of nitrate and oxalate ((COO⁻)₂) content in fresh vegetables was conducted in Bari (Italy) over 15 months (from March 1994 to May 1995). A total of 327 samples (edible portions and related sub-samples) were taken from 26 different vegetable types on the wholesale fruit and vegetable market. The data revealed that leaf vegetables (namely rocket, celery, parsley and spinach) contained higher levels of nitrate than bulb, root, shoot, inflorescence and tuber vegetables. Higher oxalate levels were found in spinach and Swiss chard. Based on consumption data for the whole population provided by the National Institute of Nutrition, daily nitrate intake from vegetables was calculated to be 71 mg. Over 30% of nitrate intake was derived from the consumption of lettuce and Swiss chard. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

贮存条件对蔬菜及其食品中硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐含量的影响

对不同温度、容器等贮存条件下蔬菜及菜汤中NO3-和NO2-含量状况的研究。结果表明:不论是在新鲜蔬菜还是菜汤中,这两种有害物质的含量均随贮存温度的升高而相应增加,且含盐菜汤中的含量高于无盐菜汤;在同种温度条件下,3种不同质地容器贮存的菜汤中NO3-特别是NO2-的含量差异较大,均为铝容器>不锈钢容器>铁容器。     

蔬菜硝酸盐污染现状及其食用安全性评价

通过分析测定9种主要蔬菜70个样品的硝酸盐含量,发现镇江地区根、茎、叶类蔬菜硝酸盐含量严重超标,其中尤以小青菜、茼蒿、芹菜、萝卜、蕹菜和苋菜最为突出,莴苣其次,生菜和土豆则较轻。同时评价了蔬菜的食用安全性,并提出了蔬菜硝酸盐污染的防治对策。     

Changes in nitrate and nitrite content of four vegetables during storage at refrigerated and ambient temperatures

The nitrate and nitrite contents of four kinds of vegetables (spinach, crown daisy, organic Chinese spinach and organic non-heading Chinese cabbage) in Taiwan were determined during storage at both refrigerated (5 ± 1°C) and ambient temperatures (22 ± 1°C) for 7 days. During storage at ambient temperature, nitrate levels in the vegetables dropped significantly from the third day while nitrite levels increased dramatically from the fourth day of storage. However, refrigerated storage did not lead to changes in nitrate and nitrite levels in the vegetables over 7 days.     

蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留的膳食暴露与 风险评估

目的为明确蔬菜中植物生长调节剂(plant growth regulator,PGR)残留的风险,对蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留量实行监测并进行风险评估。方法整合3年的市场监测数据,利用农药残留专家联席会议(JMPR)农药急性膳食风险摄入量计算方法和@risk定量风险评估专用软件,对我国各类人群蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留膳食摄入风险进行评估。结果蔬菜中植物生长调节剂的残留量较低,为0.0109~0.182 mg/kg,辣椒中主要检出矮壮素和甲哌啶残留,番茄中主要检出2,4-滴残留,马铃薯中主要检出甲哌啶和矮壮素残留;短期膳食摄入结果显示,辣椒、番茄和马铃薯3个蔬菜品种消费带来的有检出PGR残留短期膳食摄入量在0.0957~11.0?g/(kg bw·d),仅占其急性参考剂量的0.0319%~22.0%,急性风险较低。结论蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留膳食摄入风险虽在不同蔬菜品种、不同风险因子和不同人群之间有差异,但整体风险水平不高,均在可接受范围内。     

冷藏对蔬菜中亚硝酸盐及硝酸盐含量的影响

目的 探索冰箱冷藏(4℃)条件下蔬菜中硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐含量随时间的变化,对冷藏食品的安全性进行评价.方法 分别采用重氮偶合分光光度法和麝香草酚分光光度法对生菜、菠菜、油麦菜及苦苣4种常用蔬菜在冷藏条件下其亚硝酸盐及硝酸盐的含量变化进行测定.结果 1～4d内,生菜、苦苣中的亚硝酸盐含量随着时间的延长逐渐增加;菠菜、油麦菜中亚硝酸盐含量分别在第2天和第3天达到最大,之后逐渐降低,而菠菜中亚硝酸盐含量在第4天又出现上升趋势.4种蔬菜中亚硝酸盐含量4d中最大值仅为0.419 4 mg/kg(生菜),均＜4 mg/kg的限量值.苦苣和油麦菜中硝酸盐含量在1～4d内逐渐上升.菠菜中硝酸盐含量第2天达到418.48 mg/kg,之后又降低至20.83 mg/kg.生菜中硝酸盐含量在第3天达到最大值317.26 mg/kg,之后逐渐下降,但均在安全范围内(432 mg/kg).结论 在4℃下冷藏4d后,4种常见蔬菜均可安全食用.可见,冷藏能有效减缓亚硝酸盐和硝酸盐含量的升高.     

Survey of nitrate and nitrite contents of vegetables grown in Korea.

A scientific basis for the evaluation of the risk to public health arising from excessive dietary intake of nitrate in Korea is provided. The nitrate () and nitrite () contents of various vegetables (Chinese cabbage, radish, lettuce, spinach, soybean sprouts, onion, pumpkin, green onion, cucumber, potato, carrot, garlic, green pepper, cabbage and Allium tuberosum Roth known as Crown daisy) are reported. Six hundred samples of 15 vegetables cultivated during different seasons were analysed for nitrate and nitrite by ion chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, respectively. No significant variance in nitrate levels was found for most vegetables cultivated during the summer and winter harvests. The mean nitrates level was higher in A. tuberosum Roth (5150 mg kg(-1)) and spinach (4259 mg kg(-1)), intermediate in radish (1878 mg kg(-1)) and Chinese cabbage (1740 mg kg(-1)), and lower in onion (23 mg kg(-1)), soybean sprouts (56 mg kg(-1)) and green pepper (76 mg kg(-1)) compared with those in other vegetables. The average nitrite contents in various vegetables were about 0.6 mg kg(-1), and the values were not significantly different among most vegetables. It was observed that nitrate contents in vegetables varied depending on the type of vegetables and were similar to those in vegetables grown in other countries. From the results of our studies and other information from foreign sources, it can be concluded that it is not necessary to establish limits of nitrates contents of vegetables cultivated in Korea due to the co-presence of beneficial elements such as ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol which are known to inhibit the formation of nitrosamine.     

Effect of temperature,carbon dioxide enrichment,nitrogen form and rate of nitrogen fertiliser on the yield and nitrate content of two varieties of glasshouse lettuce

Head weight of winter glasshouse lettuce was increased slightly by higher temperature (7°C day/4°C night and 10°C day/7°C night) and carbon dioxide enrichment (350 and 1000 μl litre^?1) but, despite faster growth, plant nitrate concentration was unaffected. Addition at the lowest rate (138 kg ha^?1 N) of ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and urea increased plant nitrate by a similar amount compared with nil fertilizer nitrogen, but addition of more fertilizer (276 kg ha^?1 N) had no further effect. Urea produced a lower yield than the other two N sources. Coated controlled-release nitrogen produced both low yields and low plant nitrate concentrations because its nitrogen release rate was too slow to keep pace with plant growth. The most effective material in terms of high yield and low plant nitrate was one containing a nitrification inhibitor within the fertiliser granules.     

Effect of storage temperature and duration on glucosinolate,total vitamin C and nitrate contents in rocket salad (Eruca sativa Mill.)

The effect of storage temperature and duration on nitrate, total vitamin C and glucosinolate (GSL) contents was investigated in rocket salad (Eruca sativa Mill.) grown in soilless culture. Harvested plants were either maintained intact as leaves with roots (RL) or separated as leaves only (LO) before being placed in oriented polypropylene packages and immediately stored at 4 °C (RL and LO) or 15 °C (LO only) in darkness. Packages were sampled after 1, 3, 6 and 10 days of storage (DOS) and, along with fresh samples (0 DOS), submitted to chemical analysis. For RL (4 °C), leaf moisture content decreased gradually with increasing storage duration, from 98.7% at 1 DOS to 93.8% at 10 DOS. For LO (15 °C), leaf colour at 10 DOS had shifted from an initial greenish hue to a yellowish one. Nitrate contents were highest at 10 DOS in all treatments but did not show any significant differences between LO (15 °C) and RL (4 °C). Total vitamin C content ranged from 0.87 to 1.81 mg g^?1 fresh weight and was higher in both LO (4 °C) and RL (4 °C) leaves than in those of LO (15 °C) regardless of storage duration. Total GSL content in the leaves of both LO (4 °C) and LO (15 °C) increased up to 3 DOS and decreased thereafter. The correlation between total vitamin C and GSL contents only existed at 0 DOS before storage and at 3 DOS of LO (15 °C) during storage in all treatments. Storage temperature generally had a significant effect on GSLs individually or collectively, except for 4‐methoxyglucobrassicin. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitrate in leafy vegetables,culinary herbs,and cucumber grown under cover in Estonia: content and intake

The content of nitrate in leafy vegetables, culinary herbs, and cucumber was determined during the years 2006–2008. All samples of Estonian origin, except white cabbage, were grown under cover. Seasonal differences in nitrate concentrations were observed in lettuce and spinach. Nitrate concentrations in lettuce were 22% and those in spinach were 24% higher in winter crops compared with samples collected in summer. The mean nitrate level was 3023 mg kg^–1 for fresh lettuce and 2337 mg kg^–1 for spinach. On average, 11.6% of fresh lettuce and spinach samples nitrate concentration exceeded the maximum level specified in European Commission Regulation No. 1881/2006. The mean levels were 999 mg kg^–1 for imported iceberg lettuce and 1287 mg kg^–1 for frozen spinach, which are below the maximum European Commission limits. Parsley, dill, basil, thyme, and rucola contained high concentrations of nitrate from mean levels of 2134 mg kg^–1 for parsley up to 8150 mg kg^–1 for rucola. Mean nitrate concentrations ranged from 382 to 1115 mg kg^–1 for white cabbage and Chinese cabbage, respectively. The per capita mean daily intake of nitrates related to the consumption of leafy vegetables, culinary herbs, and cucumber for the whole Estonian population was 31.3 mg day^–1, which comprised 14.2% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI).     

Intake and risk assessment of nitrate and nitrite from New Zealand foods and drinking water

Exposure to excess nitrite is a potential health risk for humans. One hundred meat and processed foods and 100 vegetable samples purchased from New Zealand retail outlets were prepared as for consumption and analysed for nitrite and nitrate concentration using a standard, validated methodology. Nitrate concentrations ranged from less than the limit of detection (LOD = 5 mg kg^-1) in cheddar cheese and cream cheese-based dips to 3420 mg kg^-1 in lettuce. Nitrite was detected in half the processed foods and meats analysed (levels up to 119 mg kg^-1), but detected in only one vegetable sample above the LOD (broccoli at 27 mg kg^-1 nitrite). Concentration data were combined with 24 h dietary recall information to generate 4398 individual adult daily exposure scenarios for exogenous nitrite and nitrate including a contribution from water assessed from 1021 drinking water samples. The mean adult daily intake of exogenous nitrate and nitrite from food and water combined was 16 and 13% of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), respectively, and therefore should not pose a health risk for the average consumer. A maximally exposed New Zealand adult is estimated to have an intake of up to seven times the ADI for nitrate. When the endogenous conversion of nitrate to nitrite is taken into account, approximately 10% of people with an average rate of conversion and half of all people with a high rate of conversion are estimated to exceed the ADI. Either the ADI is inappropriate and needs to be re-evaluated, or those individuals who have a high rate of conversion of nitrate to nitrite are at risk to adverse effects of nitrite exposure.     

Nitrate and nitrite content in organically cultivated vegetables

The nitrate and nitrite content of leaf vegetables (Swiss chard, sea beet, spinach and cabbage), “inflorescence” vegetables (cauliflower) and fruit vegetables (eggplant and vegetable marrow) grown with organic fertilizers have been determined by a modified cadmium–Griess method. Samples were purchased from organic food stores as well as collected directly from an organic farm in Madrid (Spain). Nitrate levels were much higher in the leaf vegetables (especially Swiss chard species; average over the different samples and species of 2778.6 ± 1474.7 mg kg^{? 1}) than in inflorescence or fruit products (mean values between 50.2 ± 52.6 and 183.9 ± 233.6 mg kg^{? 1}). Following Swiss chard species, spinach (1349.8 ± 1045.5 mg kg^{? 1}) showed the highest nitrate content, and nitrite was found above the limit of detection in some samples only (spinach, 4.6 ± 1.0 mg kg^{? 1}; sea beet, 4.2 ± 0.7 mg kg^{? 1} and Swiss chard, 1.2 ± 0.4 mg kg^{? 1}). Some vegetables (spinach, cabbage and eggplant) had lower nitrate content in the samples harvested in summer, showing the influence of climatic conditions on the nitrate levels in a plant. The samples taken directly from the organic farm, with the exception of eggplant, had higher or slightly higher average nitrate values than samples purchased in the organic food stores, ranging from 117 to 1077%.     

A survey of nitrate and nitrite content of fruit and vegetables grown in Slovenia during 1996-2002

Monitoring of nitrate (NO₃^-) and nitrite (NO₂^-) content in agricultural products in Slovenia has been carried out since 1996. The results of monitoring over the period 1996-2002 are presented. During this time 924 samples of 14 different agricultural products (potato, lettuce, apples, carrot, silage maize, cabbage, grapes, peaches, string beans, cereals, pears, cucumbers, strawberries and tomato) were analysed. The samples were taken at the time of maturity directly from growing sites and they were analysed using segmented flow analysis. The average nitrate contents were the highest in lettuce (1074 mg kg^-1), cabbage (881 mg kg^-1), string beans (298 mg kg^-1) and carrot (264 mg kg^-1), and they were moderately high in potato (158 mg kg^-1), silage maize (122 mg kg^-1), strawberries (94 mg kg^-1), cucumbers (93 mg kg^-1) and cereals (49 mg kg^-1). Low nitrate contents (below 6 mg kg^-1) were found in fruit (grapes, peaches, apples and pears) and tomato. With the exception of cereals (8.9 mg kg^-1), apples (1.5 mg kg^-1), potato (1.2 mg kg^-1) and pears (1.0 mg kg^-1) the content of nitrites did not exceed 0.5 mg kg^-1. It may be concluded that the results of the monitoring were in most cases similar to the results of investigations obtained in other countries.     

酱腌菜类食品中亚硝酸盐暴露水平检测

利用GDYQ-901SC亚硝酸盐快速检测仪对哈尔滨市市售的5类，40种酱腌菜类食品中亚硝酸盐暴露水平进行抽样检测。检测结果表明：哈尔滨市市售酱腌菜类食品中亚硝酸盐暴露水平基本符合食品卫生标准。萝卜类和黄瓜类酱腌菜合格率为87．50％；榨菜类和白菜类酱腌菜合格率100％。杂类酱腌菜亚硝酸盐的检出率和超标率比较严重，合格率为75．00％。农贸市场或小型超市、仓买销售的酱腌菜类食品，散装酱腌菜食品质量令人担忧。     

The fertiliser nitrogen requirement of cereals grown on sandy soils

The responses to fertiliser‐N of winter wheat and winter barley grown on sandy soils were measured in 72 experiments in England from 1990 to 1994. Yield without fertiliser‐N (Y₀) was c 1.1 t ha⁻¹ greater following root crops than following cereals. Following potato crops given organic manures, Y₀ was c 1.2 t ha⁻¹ greater than following unmanured potato crops, but Y₀ was no greater following sugarbeet to which organic manures had been applied. Only after the two driest winters was there sufficient variation in soil N supply in spring (SNS_s) for this to show a relationship with Y₀. However, Y₀ increased with increasing N mineralisation during the growing season (AM) in the three years it was measured. There was no consistent effect of sowing date on Y₀. Following potatoes, yield at optimum fertiliser‐N (Y_opt) decreased as sowing date was delayed, but this was not so after cereals, sugarbeet or overall. There was no increase in Y_opt with SNS_S or AM, but Y_opt decreased with increasing moisture stress (S) in June. The mean yield response to N_opt (Δ_Y) was c 0.4 and 0.8 t ha⁻¹ smaller following potatoes and sugarbeet respectively than following cereals, but not consistently so as there were large interactions between site, year and previous crop. Following root crops, Δ_Y was c 0.6 and 1.4 t ha⁻¹ less after sugarbeet and potatoes respectively that had been given organic manures. Without the addition of organic manures, Δ_Y following potatoes was similar to that following cereals. Regression on SNS_S and AM accounted for 28 and 15% respectively of the variance in Δ_Y. The optimum economic fertiliser‐N application (N_opt) was similar, at c 140 kg ha⁻¹, following cereals and potatoes. Following sugarbeet, cereal N_opt was only c 110 kg ha⁻¹. The differences according to previous crop reported here are consistent with mineralisation of crop residues on sandy soils being more rapid than on other soils; the potato residues were rapidly mineralised in autumn and lost by leaching over winter. Residues from later‐harvested sugarbeet were mineralised during the growing season of the subsequent cereal crop. Fertiliser‐N requirements were, at c 110–140 kg ha⁻¹, smaller than has been found on other soil types, and less than current recommendations for wheat. Requirements were significantly reduced in years of drought stress. No differences were found in N_opt between wheat and barley. These data do not justify the current advice to invariably reduce fertiliser‐N to cereals following potatoes by 20–25 kg ha⁻¹ on these sandy soils. On average a reduction of c 20 kg ha⁻¹ could be made following sugarbeet, with a further reduction of c 40 kg ha⁻¹ N if manures had been applied to the previous sugarbeet crop. A reduction of 40 kg ha⁻¹ N could also be made where cereals followed a potato crop to which manures had been applied. Further refinements on the basis of measurements of soil mineral N could not be justified. Seasonal variation in N response due to drought stress makes recommendations difficult on these soils. Adopting the fertiliser‐N recommendations proposed here would produce N surpluses to the soil of c 37, 10 and 27 kg ha⁻¹ respectively following cereals, sugarbeet and potatoes when cereal grain is removed but straw incorporated. On farms where straw is removed, N surplus would be largely eliminated. Our recommendation that no reduction in fertiliser‐N application to cereal crops grown on sandy soils should be made following potatoes will not increase fertiliser‐N use and is not expected to increase nitrate leaching. Some reduction in nitrate leaching may be achieved if recommendations following cereal crops and sugarbeet are made in accordance with the results reported here. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitrate and nitrite in fresh vegetables from queensland

Vegetables were collected near peak harvest from the main production regions in Queensland and were analysed for residues of nitrate and nitrite. A small sample of hydroponic produce was also included in the survey. Nitrite-N from 1 to 4 mg kg^-1 was found only in dwarf beans and in lettuces. Levels of nitrate in potatoes, cabbages and beets were higher than those reported in other surveys and exceeded threshold limits set in one other country. The median nitrate-N concentration measured in hydroponic lettuce (465 mg kg^-1 nitrate-N) was more than twice the median concentration for field-grown lettuce. Poor correlation between total N and nitrate in vegetables raises doubts about the use of total N alone as an indicator of N status.     

Assessment of dietary exposure of nitrate and nitrite in France

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary exposure of nitrate and nitrite in France. A total of 13, 657 concentration levels of nitrate and nitrite measured in food, representing 138 and 109 food items, respectively, and coming from French monitoring programmes between 2000 and 2006, were used. Depending on the non-detected and non-quantified analysis treatment, lower and upper concentration mean estimates were calculated for each food item. These were combined with consumption data derived from 1474 adults and 1018 children from the French national individual consumption survey (INCA1), conducted in 1999 and based on a 7-day food record diary. A total of 18% of spinaches, 6% of salads, 10% of cheeses, 8% of meat products and 6% of industrial meat products exceeded the European nitrate maximum level or maximum residual level. A total of 0.4% of industrial meat products and 0.2% of meat products exceeded their European nitrite maximum level or maximum residual level. Nitrate dietary exposure averaged 40% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI; 3.7 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1) for adults and 51???54% of the ADI for children with the major contributors being, for adults and children, respectively, vegetables (24 and 27% of ADI), potatoes (5 and 11% of ADI), and water (5 and 5% of ADI). The individual nitrate dietary intake of 1.4% (confidence interval (CI_95th) [0.8; 2.0]) to 1.5% (CI_95th [0.9; 2.1]) of adults and 7.9% (CI_95th [6.2; 9.6]) to 8.4% (CI_95th [6.7; 10.1]) of children were higher than the ADI. Nitrite dietary exposure averaged 33–67% of the ADI (0.06 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1) for adults and 67–133% of the ADI for children, with contributions of additive food vectors at 33% of ADI for adults and 50–67% of ADI for children. The individual nitrite dietary intake of 0.7% (CI_95th [0.3; 1.1]) to 16.4% (CI_95th [14.5; 18.3]) of adults and 10.5% (CI_95th [8.6; 12.4]) to 66.2% (CI_95th [63.3; 69.1]) of children were higher than the ADI.     

Nitrates and nitrites in vegetables and vegetable-based products and their intakes by the Estonian population

The content of nitrates were determined in 1349 samples of vegetables and ready-made food in 2003-2004 as a part of the Estonian food safety monitoring programme and the Estonian Science Foundation grant research activities. The results of manufacturers' analyses carried out for internal monitoring were included in the study. The highest mean values of nitrates were detected in dill, spinach, lettuce and beetroot. The mean concentrations were 2936, 2508, 2167 and 1446 mg kg^-1, respectively. The content of nitrites in samples was lower than 5 mg kg^-1. In total, the mean intake of nitrates by the Estonian population was 58 mg day^-1. The mean content of nitrates in vegetable-based infant foods of Estonian origin was 88 mg kg^-1. The average daily intake of nitrates by children in the age group of 4-6 years was 30 mg. The infants' average daily intake of nitrates from consumption of vegetable-based foods was 7.8 mg.