The intake of phosphorus through meat products: a health risk assessment

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary exposure of phosphorus in the Serbian adult population by combining individual consumption data with available data for analysed meat products. During a three years period of investigation (2018 to 2020), a total of 682 samples consisting of 425 cooked sausages and 257 smoked meat products were collected from different local retail markets across the Serbia to examine phosphorus concentrations. The mean phosphorus concentration, expressed as P2O5, varied from 4.68±0.88 g/kg to 6.05±1.30 g/kg in finely minced cooked sausages and smoked meat products, respectively. The average estimated daily dietary intake (exposure) (EDI) of phosphorus ranged from 1.115 mg/kg BW (body weight)/day (finely minced cooked sausages) to 1.441 mg/kg BW/day (smoked meat products). Phosphorus dietary intake (exposure) averaged 3.08% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI: 40 mg/kg BW/day). According to our results, the average phosphorus exposure in the Serbian adult population from consumption of these meat products is far below the European ADI.

Investigation on amitraz, coumaphos and thymol concentrations in honey produced by Slovenian beekeepers in 2020

A survey on concentrations of veterinary drug residues amitraz, coumaphos and thymol in honey, produced in year 2020 by Slovenian beekeepers, was conducted. 100 samples were analysed: 22 from organic and 78 from conventional production, with two analytical methods. In method for determination of coumaphos and thymol samples were extracted with acetone, petroleumether and dichlorometane. In method for determination of amitraz and its degradation products, samples were hydrolisated with HCl and NaOH, extractied with n-hexane and derivatisated with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. Determination in both methods was performed with gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometer. Measured concentrations of amitraz, coumaphos and thymol were in the range of 0.01-0.12 mg kg-1, 0.02-0.06 mg kg-1 and 0.08-0.17 mg kg-1, respectively. In 61 % of samples analysed no residues of amitraz, thymol and coumaphos were found. Data obtained were compared with the data from literature. Chronic and acute exposure were calculated for consumers. Maximum chronic exposure for amitraz and thymol was 0.1 % and 0.05 % of acceptable daily intake, respectively. Maximum acute exposure for amitraz and thymol was 4 % and 0.8 % of acute reference dose, respectively

Sulfonamides in Tomato from Commercial Greenhouses Irrigated with Reclaimed Wastewater: Uptake, Translocation and Food Safety

The presence of antibiotics in crops is mainly caused by their irrigation with reclaimed wastewater and by the use of organic amendments of animal origin. During this work, the fate of sulfonamide antibiotics in tomato crop has been assessed in two commercial greenhouses located in Almería (Spain) irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Samplings were made annually for two years. Sulfonamides in several parts of the plant (roots, leaves and fruits) as well as reclaimed wastewater, amendments and soils were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that sulfonamides accumulated in soils (sulfamethoxazole between 2 and 14 µg Kg−1; sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine and sulfadimethoxine in concentrations below 1 µg Kg−1) were in the reclaimed wastewater at concentrations in the ng L−1 range. Their distribution in plants depended on the sulfonamide. The sulfonamides detected in tomato were sulfadiazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamethazole, sulfamethoxazole and sulfadimethoxine. Sulfamethoxazole was the antibiotic with highest concentration in tomato fruit, exceeding 30 µg Kg−1. All sulfonamides were below the Acceptable Daily Intake, however, further studies and legislation are needed to assure food safety.

Dissipation Behavior, Residue, and Risk Assessment of Benziothiazolinone in Apples

Benziothiazolinone is the first independently developed fungicide in China. It has been used to effectively control fungal diseases in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and crops. In this study, the degradation behavior and final residue of benziothiazolinone in apples is discussed, and the dietary risk to consumers was evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine benziothiazolinone residues in apple samples from eight different regions of China. The average recovery of benziothiazolinone in apples was 85.5–100.2%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.8–14.9%. The limits of the method of quantification of benziothiazolinone in apples was 0.01 mg/kg. Under good agricultural practices (GAP) conditions, the final residues of benziothiazolinone in apples were below 0.01 mg/kg, lower than the maximum residual limit (MRL) of China. Although the degradation half-lives of benziothiazolinone were 23.9 d–33.0 d, the risk quotient (RQ) of benziothiazolinone was 15.5% by calculating the national estimated daily intake and comparing it with the acceptable daily intake. These results suggested that under GAP conditions, the intake of benziothiazolinone from apples exhibits an acceptably low health risk on consumers.

Determination of Tetracycline Residues in Broilers Reared in Makurdi Metropolis

Tetracycline residues in broiler tissues were assayed using a microbiological assay method. A total of four hundred samples representing one hundred samples of liver, kidney, lungs and breast muscles each, were collected from five different farms within Makurdi Metropolis. The analysis showed a total of 70 % residue incidence with the liver having 60 %, Kidney 31 %, lungs 14 % and muscles 5 % of the total. The highest concentration, of 6 µg/kg, was seen in the liver from farm 1, which had an incidence of 50 %, with the liver contributing 90 % of the incidence. Farm 2 had an incidence of 75 %, in which the liver contributed with 50 % of the cases. Farm 3 had a 100 % incidence, with the liver contributing with 75 % of the cases. Farm 4 had 75 % incidence, with the liver involved in all cases. Farm 5 had a 50 % incidence, all from the liver and kidney. Despite the higher incidence of 70 %, all the values were significantly (p < 0.01), lower than the recommended Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) or Tolerance of 600, 300 and 200 µg/kg for the liver, kidney and muscle respectively. The values were also in accordance within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-30 µg/kg, recommended by the Codex Alimentarius. This may be an indication of the rational use of antibiotics in good agricultural management in the selected farms in Makurdi Metropolis. Significantly, it shows that this method can be used mathematically to quantify drug residues in lower income areas. Key words: Tetracyclines, Residues, Broilers, Makurdi, Determination.

Aspartame and cancer – new evidence for causation

Background Aspartame is one of the world’s most widely used artificial sweeteners and is an ingredient in more than 5000 food products globally. A particularly important use is in low-calorie beverages consumed by children and pregnant women. The Ramazzini Institute (RI) reported in 2006 and 2007 that aspartame causes dose-related increases in malignant tumors in multiple organs in rats and mice. Increased cancer risk was seen even at low exposure levels approaching the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Prenatal exposures caused increased malignancies in rodent offspring at lower doses than in adults. These findings generated intense controversy focused on the accuracy of RI’s diagnoses of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue tumors (HLTs). Critics made the claim that pulmonary lesions observed in aspartame-exposed animals were inflammatory lesions caused by Mycoplasma infection rather than malignant neoplasms. Methods To address this question, RI subjected all HLTs from aspartame-exposed animals to immunohistochemical analysis using a battery of markers and to morphological reassessment using the most recent Internationally Harmonized Nomenclature and Diagnostic (INHAND) criteria. Findings This immunohistochemical and morphological re-evaluation confirmed the original diagnoses of malignancy in 92.3% of cases. Six lesions originally diagnosed as lymphoma (8% of all HLTs) were reclassified: 3 to lymphoid hyperplasia, and 3 to chronic inflammation with fibrosis. There was no evidence of Mycoplasma infection. Interpretation These new findings confirm that aspartame is a chemical carcinogen in rodents. They confirm the very worrisome finding that prenatal exposure to aspartame increases cancer risk in rodent offspring. They validate the conclusions of the original RI studies. These findings are of great importance for public health. In light of them, we encourage all national and international public health agencies to urgently reexamine their assessments of aspartame’s health risks - especially the risks of prenatal and early postnatal exposures. We call upon food agencies to reassess Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels for aspartame. We note that an Advisory Group to the International Agency for Research on Cancer has recommended high-priority reevaluation of aspartame’s carcinogenicity to humans.

Persistence and Degradation Pattern of Acequinocyl and Its Metabolite, Hydroxyl-acequinocyl and Fenpyroximate in Butterburs (Petasites Japonicus Max.)

Degradation patterns and persistence of acequinocyl and its metabolite, hydroxyl-acequinocyl (acequinocyl-OH), and fenpyroximate residues in butterburs (Petasites japonicus Max.), one of the minor crops in Republic of Korea, were investigated during cultivation. Butterburs were planted in two plots (plot A for double dose; plot B for single dose) in a greenhouse. Each pesticide was applied to the foliage of butterburs at hourly intervals. Recoveries of acequinocyl and acequinocyl-OH were 78.6%−84.7% ± relative standard deviation (RSD) 1.9%−4.8% and 83.7%−95.5% ± RSD 1.0%−3.6%, respectively. The total (Ʃ) of acequinocyl residues in butterburs disappeared by 96.0% at 14 days after the final application in plot A and by 75.9% at 7 days in plot B. The biological half-life of the total (Ʃ) acequinocyl and fenpyroximate was 3.0 days and 4.0 days respectively. These results were used for setting maximum residue levels and safe use standards for the pesticide during butterbur cultivation. The risk assessment showed that the maximum % acceptable daily intake was 4.71% for Ʃ acequinocyl and 8.81% for fenpyroximate. The theoretical maximum daily intake of Ʃ acequinocyl and fenpyroximate were 24.02% and 15.24%, respectively, indicating the concentrations of Ʃ acequinocyl and fenpyroximate in butterburs pose no health risks to Koreans.

Bioakumulasi kobalt dan nikel pada tanaman kalakai (Stenochlaena palustris (burm. F.) Bedd) di tanah gambut bekas terbakar desa Pakning Asal, Bengkalis

The last 5 years, palm oil plantation in Pakning Asal, Bengkalis were burned in different frequencies. There were unburned soil and burned soil in several times (2-3 times). Land fires affect the physical chemistry of the soil including macro and micro nutrients in soil as well as surrounding plant growth. One of them is kalakai usually made by vegetables in community. The purpose of this study were to analyze the composition of Co and Ni on roots, stems and leaves of kalakai on peat soil unburned soil and burned soil in several times and determine the content of Co and Ni metal in suitable and safe plants for consumption by the community based on the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Co and Ni analysis was carried out using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).The results of the analysis Co content in plants increases on peat unburned soil and Ni content increases on burned peat soil. Based on Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) on kalakai that grow on unburned peat soil and burned several times 81,76 µg/kg BB/hari dan 57,97 µg/kg BB/hari for Co and 112,56 µg/kg BB/hari dan 119,763 µg/kg BB/hari for Ni. Based on ANOVA test performed with p 0.05 can be concluded that there is a significant difference in roots, stems and leaves growing on peat soil unburned and burned several times.

Contamination of Water, Sediment and Fish With Residues of Pesticides Used in Cotton Production in Northern Benin

In Northern Benin, insecticides are used for cotton production. These insecticides can be easily transferred to water ponds close to cotton fields. To monitor insecticides levels in water, sediments and fish samples from water ponds, a GC-MS analytical method was developed to detect residues of endosulfan, DDT and its parent compounds, isomers of HCH, pyrethroids and chlorpyrifos. In addition, the influence of storage conditions of water sample on pesticides determination performance has been studied. The limits of quantification were between 0.16 and 0.32 µg/L in water, 0.5 and 1 μg/kg in sediment and 1 and 2 μg/kg in fish. Twenty samples of water, twenty of sediments and forty of fish were taken in four different water reservoirs at five different times. Alpha-endosulfan, lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin were the identified in sediment while p,p’-DDE, α- and β-HCH, chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin were detected in fish. Only organochlorines were determined in water because of the lack of recovery of pyrethroids from water stored in glass. Concentrations of insecticide residues in sediment for all water ponds ranged from non-detected to 101 µg/kg and from non-detected to 36 µg/kg in fish. Preliminary risk assessment for consumers of the North of Benin showed that the Estimated Daily Intakes were lower than the Acceptable Daily Intake sand Acute Reference Doses for all consumers. However, as one fish can be contaminated by 5 pesticide residues at the same time, it is not possible to exclude a risk for the consumer due to his exposure to mixtures of pesticides.

Levels and health risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in vegetables from Yamaltu area in Gombe, Nigeria

The study determined the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues and assesses health risks linked with the consumption of vegetables cultivated in the Yamaltu area in Gombe, Nigeria. OCPs residues were solvent extracted and analyzed with a high performance liquid chromatography equipped with UV/VIS Detector. The mean concentrations of ten detected OCPs residues were almost all above the set limit of EU/WHOMRL. The estimated daily intake of OCPs from samples was below the acceptable daily intake, hazard index estimated were <1, indicated no probable non-carcinogenic health effect, while the carcinogenic health effect showed that children were more vulnerable for the consumption of the contaminated vegetables.