Food additives & contaminants. Part B, Surveillance最新文献

In this study, 18 different samples of unrefined coarse food salt were examined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, microphotographs were taken to determine the visual distribution of the impurities in the salt samples. None of the salt samples analysed contained arsenic, mercury, tin, and antimony. Cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, barium, lithium, aluminium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, cupper, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and calcium were determined in some salt samples. According to the results of FTIR analysis mainly polyamide polymer derivatives were found in Himalaya White, Himalaya, Klodawa, Nakhchivan, Delice, Guérande Flake, Guérande Celtic, Maldon, Havaii Black, Havaii Green, Havaii Red, Maras, and İzmir salts.

Strains of Penicillium camemberti and P. roqueforti are used in the production of soft-ripened and blue-veined cheeses. However, some strains can produce toxic secondary metabolites (mycotoxins), including α-cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a neurotoxin. Data on the levels of CPA in cheeses marketed in the USA are extremely limited. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adapted for measuring CPA in soft-ripened and blue-veined cheeses. Recoveries from cheese curds were 103 ± 27% (n = 30). A total of 254 samples of soft-ripened, blue and miscellaneous cheeses were examined. CPA was detected in 36/79 (45.6%) of soft-ripened cheeses and in 41/168 (24.4%) of blue-veined cheeses. Median levels in positive samples were 48.5 µg/kg and 30 µg/kg, respectively. The highest levels found were 3,820 µg/kg (in a Brie), 1,250 µg/kg (in a blue) and 7,900 µg/kg (in a Monte Enebro). The implication of such exposures is unknown, as a consensus on acceptable intake remains to be established.

Sudan dyes were investigated in branded and non-branded spices, commonly available in the markets of Karachi, Pakistan. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a variable wavelength detector (VWD) was applied to determine Sudan dyes I-IV. The non-branded samples had higher concentrations of Sudan dyes than the maximum limits of 0.1 mg/kg. The highest concentration of Sudan dye (I) was found in turmeric powder (8460 mg/kg) and the lowest concentration (1.50 mg/kg) of Sudan (IV) in Chaat Masala. This indicates that the use of non-branded spices is not safe, whereas no Sudan dye was found in the branded spice samples. Further studies regarding the higher carcinogenic risk posed by Sudan dye adulterated spices in Pakistan is strongly advised.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) can be transferred between plants via soil. Indicators of PAs in tea products are useful for tea garden management. In the present work a total of 37 weed species, 37 weed rhizospheric soils and 24 fresh tea leaf samples were collected from tea gardens, in which PAs were detected in 35 weeds species, 21 soil samples and 10 fresh tea leaves samples. In Shexian tea garden, 12.9 μg/kg of intermedine (Im) in one bud plus three leaves, 1.40 and 14.6 μg/kg of intermedine-N-oxide (ImNO) in one bud plus two leaves and one bud plus three leaves were detected, which were transferred from the PA-producing weeds via soil. However, no PAs were detected in fresh tea leaves collected from Langxi tea garden. The results indicated that synthesis of PAs in weeds and their transfer through the weed-soil-fresh tea leaf route varied with soil environments in different tea gardens.

This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and levels of aflatoxins in powder red pepper. Thirty powder red pepper samples commercially available in Addis Ababa market were collected and the level of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) was determined. Aflatoxins were detected in almost all of the samples at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 52.3 µg/kg. AFB1 was detected in all of the red pepper samples, with levels ranging from 1.8 to 33.3 µg/kg. Out of all the AFB1 positive samples, 25 (83%) contained AFB1 above the EU limit of 5 µg/kg, while 29 (97%) of the samples exceeded the maximum limit of 10 µg/kg for total aflatoxins. Further, all the red pepper samples were contaminated by AFG1 with levels ranging from 0.7 to 52.3 µg/kg. Overall, the majority of the red pepper collected in Addis Ababa market was contaminated by aflatoxins above the EU limit.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) were measured in imported canned fish such as mackerel, sardine and tuna to evaluate the risk relating to human consumption of these products. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to evaluate the concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the samples. The $\sum$28 PCB concentrations in the canned mackerel, tuna and sardine ranged from 0.33 to 9.48 ng g ^-1, -1 and -1, respectively, while the $\sum$14 PCDD/Fs concentrations varied from 0.06 to 4.70 ng g^-1 for mackerel, 0.72 to 9.43 ng g^-1 for tuna and not detected to 22.0 ng g ^-1 for sardines. Health risk analysis suggests that ingestion of these samples could lead to adverse non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks over a lifetime.

In this study, concentrations of elements were determined in edible tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean levels (mg kg^-1) of 0.67 for Cd, 6.9 for As, 0.79 for Pb, 2 for Ni, and 42.6 for Zn exceeded the maximum limits in the digestive glands. Also, the mean concentrations of Cd and As in muscle and of Cd and Ni in gills were above the maximum limits. The highest value was found for As in a digestive gland, with 65.4% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. In addition, the lowest percentage belonged to Zn with 0.2% of PTWI in muscles and 0.3% of PTWI in gills of the mussels. Mercury concentrations were well below legal limits.

Aflatoxin contamination in commonly consumed cereals and nuts may place children at higher risk of stunting and adults at risk of developing liver cancer. This study investigated knowledge on aflatoxins and the level of aflatoxin B₁ contamination in commonly consumed cereals and nuts in Malawi. It also included an examination of the proportion of cereals and nuts contaminated above regulatory maximum limits. Aflatoxin contamination in samples was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Less than half of all households knew that consumption of aflatoxin contaminated grain is associated with stunting and lowered immunity. Sorghum samples were the most contaminated and millet the least contaminated. Aflatoxin contamination was highest in southern Malawi and least in northern Malawi. Observed results indicate that this population is at risk of poor health due to lack of knowledge and aflatoxin exposure. Strategies to address contamination should therefore include a comprehensive education campaign to increase knowledge and promote accessible strategies.

This study evaluated commercially available therapeutic teas for their organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residue levels to estimate the potential health risks associated with their prolonged consumption. Tea samples that were produced for therapeutic uses were obtained commercially. Organochlorine pesticide residues were extracted from the samples using the modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method and analysed using Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). Results showed that the tea samples contained a large number of OCPs residue at levels that were significantly higher than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the European Union (p > 0.05). Aldrin was detected in all samples, methoxychlor, and p,p'-DDT were detected in ≥88% of the samples while γ-HCH, δ-HCH, endosulfan II, and endosulfan sulphate were detected in ≥69% of the samples. Health risk assessment indicated that the highest risk of cancer was associated with aldrin.

Tetracyclines and polyether ionophores are veterinary drugs frequently used in animals reared for food production. Despite the benefits, residues can be harmful for human health if levels are higher than those considered safe. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by LC-MS/MS, tetracyclines residues in pasteurised milk samples marketed in São Paulo state, Brazil and estimate the exposure of the adult/adolescent/children population. Within the eight antibiotics monitored two were detected, tetracycline and 4-epitetracycline, found in 22.5% and 12.5% of the samples, respectively. Since the same samples had been previously tested for polyether ionophore residues, risk assessment based on dietary exposure to tetracyclines when considered individually and in combination with the ionophores was performed. The daily intakes were below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for tetracycline. Considering the levels of monensin reported in a previous study, the combined exposure with tetracycline and 4-epi-tetracycline also indicated low potential health concerns.