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.     

Physiological function of Se‐enriched tea fertilised with sodium selenite and naturally high‐Se tea in rats

In order to increase food selenium (Se) content, Se‐enriched tea was produced by fertilising with sodium selenite in low‐Se soil. Five groups of rats were fed a low‐Se diet supplemented with either water (Se‐deficient), sodium selenite or an aqueous extraction of low‐Se tea, Se‐enriched tea or naturally high‐Se tea. The chemical form of Se in Se‐enriched tea and the physiological function in rats fed the different Se sources were determined after 8 weeks. The results showed that organic Se accounted for 80% or more of the Se in Se‐enriched tea fertilised with sodium selenite and naturally high‐Se tea, but no significant differences in the proportion of organic Se and protein Se were found between Se‐enriched tea and naturally high‐Se tea. The Se biological utilisation rates were 65.41, 68.05 and 70.49% for sodium selenite, Se‐enriched tea and naturally high‐Se tea respectively. The Se content of blood and liver and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity were significantly increased by feeding Se‐enriched tea and sodium selenite compared with low‐Se tea, but a more efficient increase in liver GSH‐Px activity was obtained with Se‐enriched tea than with sodium selenite. No significant differences were found between Se‐enriched tea fertilised with sodium selenite and naturally high‐Se tea, which proved that the biological effectiveness of Se in Se‐enriched tea was higher than that of sodium selenite in increasing liver GSH‐Px activity. Se‐enriched tea fertilised with sodium selenite in low‐Se soil gave the same biological function as naturally high‐Se tea. Therefore Se‐enriched tea is a safe and effective means of increasing the Se intake of both humans and animals in low‐Se areas. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Total and methylmercury residues in tuna-fish from the Mediterranean sea

This study was carried out to determine the current levels of total mercury and methylmercury in the muscle tissue of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean sea with the purpose of ascertaining whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision. Total mercury concentrations ranged from 0.84 to 1.45 mg kg^-1 w.w. (av. 1.17 mg kg^-1 w.w.) and from 0.16 to 2.59 mg kg^-1 (av. 1.18 mg kg^-1 w.w.) in the muscle of albacore and bluefin tuna, respectively. In 78.6% of albacore and in 61.1% of bluefin tuna analysed, total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision (Hg = 1 µg g^-1 wet wt). In the two species, mercury was present almost completely in the methylated form, with percentages between 77 and 100% (av. 91.3%) in albacore and between 75 and 100% (av. 91%) in bluefin-tuna. In order to assess the potential health impact, the estimated weekly intake was calculated. The estimated weekly intake was far above the established Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake for both species.     

Selenium enriched spirulina and phycocyanin are sources of bioavailable selenium

Rats were fed for two weeks low-selenium semi-synthetic diet supplemented with different sources of selenium: sodium selenite (selenium concentration 96 and 350 mcg/kg diet), selenium-enriched Spirulina (selenium concentration 350 mcg/kg diet) and selenium-enriched Phycocyanin (selenium concentration 96 mcg/kg diet). Selenium bioavailability was evaluated in terms of selenium accumulation in blood and liver as well as glutathione peroxidase activity. It was shown that selenium from selenium-enriched Spirulina and selenium-enriched phycocyanin was high bioavailable in rats.     

Glutathione-related enzymic activities in rats receiving high cholesterol or standard diets supplemented with two forms of selenium

Selenium deficiency was produced in rats fed a high cholesterol diet for 57 days (Group 1). It was characterized by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) an end product of lipid peroxidation and by the dramatic collapse of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity (GSHPx) in plasma, erythrocytes and in homogenate supernatant fraction of liver, kidney and heart compared with rats fed a standard diet containing sodium selenite (Group 3). A compensatory rise in the activity of liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and also in glutathione reductase (GSSGR) activity was accompanied by an increase in NADPH-generating enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Adequate dietary selenium supplementation by Se-rich Spirulina corrected all the selenium deficiency effects (Group 2), then, GSHPx and NADPH-consuming enzymes activities were of the same magnitude as those exhibited by rats fed a standard diet containing adequate selenium in the form of sodium selenite. Based on this study, it is concluded that Se-enriched Spirulina behave as an excellent selenium carrier.     

Influence of dietary vitamin C and selenium,alone and in combination,on the composition and oxidative stability of meat of broilers

Information on the combined effect of dietary vitamin C and Se on the composition and oxidative stability of meat of broilers is not available in the literature. In the present experiment, male broiler chickens were fed a maize–wheat–soya diet supplemented with vitamin C at 280 and 560 mg/kg of diet, and Se (sodium selenite or selenised yeast; Se) at 0.3 mg/kg for 5 weeks. After slaughter, samples of thigh meat were analysed. The supplementation of diets with vitamin C or Se increased the protein concentration of the meat at the expense of fat. Vitamin C supplementation increased the vitamin C content of the meat in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the vitamin A concentration in the meat of broilers fed diets with sodium selenite or without a Se supplement. In the meat of the broilers that were fed these diets, the vitamin C decreased the lipid oxidation in meat that was stored for 5 days. No sparing effect of vitamin C was apparent on the amount of vitamin E in the meat. Selenised yeast was more effective in the enrichment of meat with Se than was selenite. Both Se sources increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and the oxidative stability of the meat.     

Short-term effects of selenium supplementation of cows' feed on the content and distribution of selenium, copper and zinc in bovine milk, whey and blood plasma

The effect of selenium supplementation of feed on the Se content in bovine milk, whey and plasma, and on the distribution of Se, Zn and Cu in whey and plasma was investigated. In a cross-over study two groups of cows were given a basal feed with 0.16 ppm selenite (approx. 3 mg Se/d) with or without 25 mg yeast Se/d for 2 weeks. In the supplemented group the Se content increased 10-fold in milk, 10-fold in whey and 2-fold in plasma, and after the cessation of the supplementation, selenium in milk decreased with a calculated half-life of 3.5 d. In another experiment, two groups of cows were given either 100 mg yeast Se/d for 1 week or only the basal feed. The increase in Se content in both whole and defatted milk was 40-50-fold, and in whey it was approx. 20-fold. Size-exclusion chromatography of whey using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for detection showed that supplementation increased the proportion of Se in the beta-lactoglobulin-alpha-lactalbumin fraction. Distribution of Cu and Zn was essentially unaffected. In plasma, supplementation increased the Se content in all major Se fractions like selenoprotein P, albumin and low-molecular-weight compounds, but the distribution profiles of Zn and Cu underwent no major changes. The study showed for the first time the rapid kinetics of the Se increase and decrease in milk after the initiation and cessation of supplementation, respectively, and the preferential appearance of Se in the beta-lactoglobulin-alpha-lactalbumin fraction of whey. Milk highly enriched in selenium will be a useful tool for different research purposes.     

Influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on quality of veal

Three groups of six calves each were fed a milk replacer and a starter concentrate for 15weeks. Calves of the first group received the basal diet containing selenium (Se) and vitamin E at 0.095-0.128mg and 30-33mg per kg of total solids, respectively. Calves of the second group received the basal diet supplemented with Se-enriched yeast to increase dietary Se concentration to 0.50mg/kg. The third group of calves received the latter diet supplemented with vitamin E to increase its concentration to 100mg/kg. There was no effect of diet on growth rate, digestibility of dry matter and Se, chemical composition of meat (M. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum), meat colour and fatty acid profile of meat lipids. The Se supplementation significantly increased Se concentration in muscle from 0.21 to 0.43mg/kg. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in muscle and liver tissue of Se-supplemented animals was increased by 56% and 67%, respectively, compared to the control. The combined supplementation of vitamin E and Se significantly improved the lipid stability of meat compared to the control diet, but not compared to the Se-supplemented diet. It can be concluded that dietary Se supplementation increases the concentration of Se and the GSH-Px activity in meat, but has limited potential for improving meat oxidative stability.     

Effects of selenium source and level of supplementation on the performance and meat quality of lambs

Objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, the quality and oxidative stability of meat, the total Se and specific selenoamino-acids content of muscle of lambs that were fed diets supplemented from different Se sources and at different levels. Forty-eight Apennine lambs 30 day old (12.78 ± 0.94 kg) received, during a 63 day period, a total mixed ration (TMR) which was either Se unsupplemented (Control group - background only- 0.13 mg/kg Se) or supplemented with Na selenite (0.30 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite) or selenium enriched yeast (0.30 mg/kg and 0.45 mg/kg Se as Se-yeast).Growth performance, feed to gain ratio, carcass and meat quality (pH, drip and cooking losses, colour, GSH-Px activity and chemical analysis) did not show any difference between the treatments. Meat colour and oxidative stability during 9 days of refrigerated storage were unaffected by dietary supplementation, suggesting that, at the levels of Se used in this experiment, dietary Se, even from an organic source, had limited potential for reducing lipid oxidation. Selenium supplementation raised the Se content in muscle (P < 0.001) with the greatest increase when Se-yeast was fed. Although selenite increased total Se, it did not influence total or specific selenoamino-acids in this tissue. On the contrary, Se-yeast supplementation led to an increase in muscle Se-methionine content. We conclude that Se supplementation can increase significantly muscle Se levels and produce, particularly when Se-yeast is fed, a source of Se enriched meat as Se-methionine.     

Short communication: Effects of different selenium supplements on rumen fermentation and apparent nutrient and selenium digestibility of mid-lactation dairy cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of a hydroxy-analog of selenomethionine (HMSeBA) on rumen fermentation, apparent nutrient digestibility, and total selenium absorption in mid-lactation dairy cows, and to compare the effects with those of sodium selenite (SS). Fifty mid-lactation dairy cows with similar milk yields, days in milk, and parity were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments according to a randomized complete block design. The cows were fed a basal diet containing 0.06 mg/kg dry matter (DM) of Se (control) or the same basal diet supplemented with SS, yielding 0.3 mg of Se/kg of DM (SS-0.3), or HMSeBA, yielding 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 mg of Se/kg of DM (SO-0.1, SO-0.3, and SO-0.5, respectively), during the experimental period. The final content of Se in control, SS-0.3, SO-0.1, SO-0.3, and SO-0.5 was 0.06, 0.34, 0.15, 0.33, and 0.52 mg of Se/kg of DM. The experiment lasted for 10 wk, with a pretrial period of 2 wk. Supplementation with HMSeBA altered rumen fermentation by linearly increasing total volatile fatty acids and the molar proportions of propionate and butyrate but decreasing rumen pH, ammonia content, and the ratio of acetate to propionate. Compared with SS, HMSeBA enhanced the molar proportion of propionate in the rumen and the apparent digestibility of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and selenium. We demonstrated that HMSeBA promoted rumen fermentation, apparent nutrient digestibility, and selenium absorption, implying that HMSeBA has a greater apparent absorption than SS.     

桑叶总黄酮对2型糖尿病模型大鼠肝脏的保护作用

目的:探讨桑叶总黄酮对2型糖尿病（T2DM）大鼠肝脏的保护作用。方法:选用雄性wistar大鼠,高脂饲料喂养且用链脲佐菌素诱导,复制T2DM模型,模型成功后随即分成模型组、二甲双胍组、桑叶总黄酮高、中、低(200、100、50 mg·kg^-1·bw^-1)剂量组,各药干预4周后,比较各组大鼠的体重和空腹血糖值;称重肝脏,计算肝脏指数;测定血清中甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）和丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）水平;测定肝脏中肝糖原水平,葡萄糖激酶（GK）活性;对肝脏进行HE染色,做病理组织学检查。结果:与模型组相比,桑叶总黄酮高剂量组能降低T2DM大鼠的体重,为（390.79±77.27）g;降低TC、TG和ALT水平,分别为（2.25±0.58）mmol·L^-1、（0.92±0.36）mmol·L^-1和（69.36±5.58）U·L^-1;增加肝糖原含量,为（12.22±1.50）mg·g^-1;提高GK活性,为（10.33±1.30）m IU·min^-1·mg protein^-1;减轻肝脏脂肪变性,改善肝脏病理。结论:桑叶总黄酮在预防和改善T2DM肝损伤方面具有一定的应用开发潜力。      

Determination of atrazine and carbaryl pesticide residues in vegetable samples using a multianalyte dipstick immunoassay format

A dipstick assay for the simultaneous determination of atrazine and carbaryl in vegetable samples was developed. The analytical method involved a fast extraction procedure followed by a multi-strip membrane test. The assay took 10 min, with a detection limit (naked eye) of 10 and 200 µg l^-1 for atrazine and carbaryl, respectively. The cross-reactivities to related compounds tested were negligible except for propazine. Quantification of the pesticides was carried out by measuring the dot colour with a spectrophotometer. IC₅₀ values (inhibition constant at 50% of the maximum binding) of 2.04 μg l^-1 for atrazine and 92.8 μg l^-1 for carbaryl were achieved by this approach. Vegetable samples were extracted with MeOH. The proposed methodology was used to analyse atrazine and carbaryl and check for compliance with European Union maximum residue levels for vegetables. Recoveries (75-105%) were in agreement with those obtained by GC/MS or HPLC. Standard curves using 25% methanol/75% TBS were used for food sample assays using a multi-analyte dipstick. IC₅₀ values were 9.2 μg l^-1 for atrazine and 179.2 μg l^-1 for cabaryl.     

Effect of duration of supplementation of selenium and vitamin E on periparturient dairy cows

Cows were fed diets either supplemented with .2 ppm Se and 70 IU vitamin E/kg diet DM (21 cows) or unsupplemented (40 cows) during the dry period (approximately 60 d). From parturition to 21 d of lactation, cows were fed diets that were either supplemented with .3 ppm Se and 40 IU/kg vitamin E or unsupplemented. At d 21 following parturition, 18 cows fed the unsupplemented diet were switched to diets containing 0 or .3 ppm supplemental Se and 0 or 40 IU/kg supplemental vitamin E arranged factorially. These diets were fed for the next 32 d. The remaining cows continued their respective diets for 32 d. Plasma Se concentrations averaged .1 microgram/ml for supplemented cows but were .05 micrograms/ml for unsupplemented cows. Plasma Se concentration from cows fed supplemental Se from 21 to 53 d postpartum increased rapidly and were not different from long-term supplemented cows. Whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity was lower in unsupplemented than in supplemented cows. Short-term Se supplementation increased glutathione peroxidase activity above that for unsupplemented animals, but activity was still less than that in long-term supplemented animals. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations at parturition and d 21 postpartum were lower in unsupplemented than in supplemented animals. On d 53 postpartum, no differences in plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations were found between long-term supplemented and unsupplemented cows. Supplementing vitamin E during the dry period increased alpha-tocopherol content of colostrum.     

Detection of 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), a tissue-bound metabolite of the nitrofuran furazolidone, in prawn tissue by enzyme immunoassay

Furazolidone, a nitrofuran antibiotic, is banned from use in food animal production within the European Union. Increasingly, compliance with this ban is monitored by use of analytical methods to detect a stable tissue-bound metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ). Widespread use of furazolidone in poultry and prawns imported into Europe highlighted the urgent need for development of nitrofuran immunoassay screening tests. The first enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay for detection of AOZ residues in prawns (shrimps) is now described. Prawn samples were derivatized with o-nitrobenzaldehyde, extracted into ethyl acetate, washed with hexane and applied to a competitive enzyme immunoassay based on a rabbit polyclonal antiserum. Assay limit of detection (LOD) (mean + 3 s) calculated from the analysis of 20 known negative cold and warm water prawn samples was 0.1 µg kg^-1. Intra- and interassay relative standard deviations were determined as 18.8 and 38.2%, respectively, using a negative prawn fortified at 0.7 µg kg^-1. The detection capability (CC_β), defined as the concentration of AOZ at which 20 different fortified samples yielded results above the LOD, was achieved at fortification between 0.4 and 0.7 µg kg^-1. Incurred prawn samples (n = 8) confirmed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection to contain AOZ concentrations between 0.4 and 12.7 µg kg^-1 were all screened positive by this enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay. Further data are presented and discussed with regard to calculating assay LOD based on accepting a 5% false-positive rate with representative negative prawn samples. Such an acceptance improves the sensitivity of an ELISA and in this case permitted an LOD of 0.05 µg kg^-1 and a CC_β of below 0.4 µg kg^-1.     

Content of mercury and cadmium in fish (Thunnus alalunga) and cephalopods (Eledone moschata) from the south-eastern Mediterranean Sea

Mercury and cadmium concentrations were measured in the flesh and liver (or hepatopancreas) of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and horned octopus (Eledone moschata) to establish whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum levels fixed by the European Commission. In both species, mercury and cadmium mean concentrations were higher in liver (albacore: mercury = 2.41 μg g^-1 wet wt, cadmium = 9.22 μg g^-1 wet wt; horned octopus: mercury = 0.76 μg g^-1 wet wt, cadmium = 6.72 μg g^-1 wet wt) than in flesh (albacore: mercury = 1.56 μg g^-1 wet wt, cadmium = 0.05 μg g^-1 wet wt; horned octopus: mercury = 0.36 μg g^-1 wet wt, cadmium = 0.33 μg g^-1). Mercury concentrations exceeding the prescribed legal limit of 1 μg g^-1 wet wt were found in almost all albacore samples (flesh: 71.4%; liver: 85.7%). For horned octopus, concentrations above 0.5 μg g^-1 wet wt were observed solely in hepatopancreas, while in flesh, the concentrations were below this limit in all the samples examined. Of the flesh samples of albacore, 42.8% exceeded the proposed tolerance for cadmium for human consumption, whilst for horned octopus, the established limit was not exceeded in any sample.     

酵母硒对肉鸡组织硒含量及抗氧化能力的影响

试验选择108只1日龄健康AA肉仔鸡(公母混合),随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每重复12只鸡,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组A在对照组日粮基础上添加0.3mg/kg硒(亚硒酸钠),试验组B在对照组日粮基础上添加0.3mg/kg硒(酵母硒),饲养35d。通过检测试验鸡组织中硒含量和超氧化物酶活性及丙二醛含量,来研究酵母硒对肉鸡组织硒含量和抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明:酵母硒组鸡群的肌肉组织中硒含量显著高于对照组;与对照组相比,酵母硒和亚硒酸钠均可显著提高鸡群血液和组织中超氧化物歧化酶活性,显著降低丙二醛含量。     

Distribution and elimination of fumonisin analogues in weaned piglets after oral administration of Fusarium verticillioides fungal culture

The distribution and elimination of fumonisins after oral administration of 50 mg FB₁, 20 mg FB₂ and 5 mg FB₃ per animal day^-1 for 22 days was studied in weaned barrows. At the end of the trial, the lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, serum, bile, muscle, fat, urine and faeces samples were collected and their content of fumonisins (FB₁, FB₂) determined by LC-MS. The highest FB₁ concentrations were found in the liver (99.4 ± 37.5 ng g^-1) and kidneys (30.6 ± 10.1 ng g^-1), whilst the highest average amount of FB₂ was in the liver (1.4 ± 2.3 ng g^-1) and fat (2.6 ng g^-1 ± 4.8) samples. Comparing the FB₁/FB₂ ratio in different organs (19/1), it was found that the ratio in the abdominal and subcutaneous fat samples (4/1) was markedly different from those in all other tissues, namely the relative proportion of FB₂ was higher in latter cases. Of the total quantity of FB₁, the 13% taken up during 5 days was excreted unchanged with the faeces and urine. On average, in the urine and faeces, FB₁ was detected in nine- and 14-fold quantities, as compared with FB₂.     

Selenium content in selected products of animal origin and estimation of the degree of cover daily Se requirement in Poland

The aim of the study was to determine Se concentration in selected products of animal origin (dairy products, pork, beef, chicken, giblets, fish, eggs) and to estimate the degree to which these products cover daily Se requirement in humans. Selenium concentrations were determined using the spectrofluorometric method. Mean Se concentration in the milk, yoghurt, kefir, and probiotic drinks was 0.020 μg mL⁻¹, 0.010 μg mL⁻¹, 0.012 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.012 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Selenium concentration in cheese ranged 0.022–0.088 μg g⁻¹ wet weight. The average selenium content of meat ranged from 0.064 (beef) to 0.094 (chicken) μg g⁻¹ w.w. The mean Se content of giblets (liver: 0.307–0.401 μg g⁻¹ w.w.) was significantly ( P  < 0.05) higher than in meat. The concentration of Se depends on fish species and in our study it ranged from 0.136 ± 0.023 (flounder) to 0.282 ± 0.024 μg g⁻¹ w.w. (mackerel). The results obtained show that the analysed food provides 22.8% of the daily selenium requirement. Considering that animal products account for 40–45% of the diet daily selenium intake averages 33–37 μg.     

Influence of the oxidative quality of dietary oil on broiler meat storage stability

Broilers were fed a high fat diet containing 11% oil (9% rapeseed oil, 2% soya bean oil) and the oil was given either as fresh (peroxide value of 1 meqv. O₂kg⁻¹ oil) or as highly oxidised (peroxide value of 156 meqv. O₂kg⁻¹ oil). Diets were supplemented with 46 mg all-rac--tocopheryl acetate kg⁻¹ diet, resulting in a tocopherol content of 80.8 mg -tocopherol and 58.6 mg γ-tocopherol per kg diet in the fresh oil diet and of 44.0 mg -tocopherol and 18.3 mg γ-tocopherol per kg diet in the oxidised oil diet, respectively, reflecting the degradation of the natural occurring tocopherols in the oxidised diet. Only minor differences were seen with respect to fatty acid composition in muscles from birds fed the two diets. The oxidation of the dietary oil lowered lipid stability significantly (p < 0.01) in both raw and precooked meats during chill storage, whereas only minor effects on the stability of frozen meat were seen. Tocopherol levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in muscles from birds fed the oxidised oil diet, explaining the decreased lipid stability of meat from these birds. Thigh meat was more susceptible to lipid oxidation during storage than breast meat, regardless of dietary treatment, although thigh meat had markedly higher tocopherol levels than breast meat. The molar ratio of PUFA > 18:2 (polyunsaturated fatty acids with three or more double bonds) to -tocopherol was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in thigh meat compared with breast meat, explaining the lower stability of the former during storage.     

Trichothecenes, ochratoxin A and zearalenone contamination and Fusarium infection in Finnish cereal samples in 1998

The occurrences and concentrations of trichothecenes, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in Finnish cereal samples are presented in this study. Furthermore, infections by moulds, especially Fusarium contamination of grains in the same samples, are reported. In total 68 cereal samples, including 43 rye, 4 wheat, 15 barley and 6 oats samples, were collected after a cool and very rainy growing season in 1998. A gas chromatograph combined with a mass spectrometric detector was used for determination of seven different trichothecenes. A high performance liquid chromatograph with a fluorescence detector was used for ochratoxin A and zearalenone determination. For the identification of moulds, the grain samples were incubated and the moulds were isolated and identified by microscopy. The analytical methods were validated for mycotoxin analysis and they were found to be adequately reliable and sensitive. Heavy rainfalls in the summer and autumn of 1998 caused abundant Fusarium mould infection in Finnish cereals, particularly in rye. Fusarium avenaceum was the most common Fusarium species found in cereals. However, the mycotoxin concentrations were very low and only deoxynivalenol, nivalenol and HT-2 toxin were detected. Deoxynivalenol was detected in 54 samples in the concentration range 5-111 µg/kg. Nivalenol and HT-2 toxin were detected in three and two samples, respectively, in the concentration range 10-20 µg/kg.