scholarly journals Metal Concentration in Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Infusion by Lebanese Population: Health Impact

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira I. Korfali ◽  
Mohamad Mroueh ◽  
Mohammad Al-Zein ◽  
Rosin Salem

<p>The levels of K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in commonly used medicinal herbs and their infusions by Lebanese were analyzed by EDXRF and ASS techniques, respectively. The order of metal contents in the herbs was found to be: K (6990-19850 ug/g) &gt; Ca(1630-14450 ug/g) &gt; Fe(80-3650 ug/g) &gt; Mn (28-458 ug/g) &gt; Zn (23-108 ug/g) &gt; Cu (5-71 ug/g) &gt; Cr (3.1-55 ug/g) Pb&gt; (1.1-10.3 ug/g) &gt; As (nd-10.8 ug/g) &gt; Cd (nd-1.7 ug/g). The mean levels of toxic metals in herbs Pb, As and Cd were below WHO permissible levels. Cluster analysis indicated metals are most probably in plants due to wastes disposal and irrigation with contaminated wastes and/or from atmospheric waste particulates. The levels of Mn, Cr, Pb and As in herbal infusions were found to be higher in soaked than boiled preparations and correlated with Fe, while Zn and Cu levels were higher in boiled infusions. The highest weekly intake from herbal infusions of toxic metals Cr (492.8 ug), As (77.0 ug), Pb (291.2 ug) and Cd (19.0 ug) were below the recommended permissible tolerable weekly intake respectively 1260 ug, 900 ug, 1500 ug, and 150 ug. Therefore, the consumption of these traditional medicinal herbs does not pose any health risk provided full compliance with recommended daily doses.<strong></strong></p>

Author(s):  
Carmen Rubio-Armendáriz ◽  
Soraya Paz ◽  
Ángel J Gutiérrez ◽  
Verena Gomes Furtado ◽  
Dailos González-Weller ◽  
...  

Cereals and their derivatives are the basis of human nutrition. However, cereals also contribute to the dietary exposure to toxic metals that may pose a risk. Strengthening food security and nutrition information is a high priority challenge for the Cape Verde Government. The toxic metals content (Cr, Ni, Sr, Al, Cd, Pb) has been determined in 126 samples of cereals and derivatives (rice, corn gofio, corn flour, wheat flour, corn, wheat) consumed in Cape Verde. Wheat flour samples stand out for registering the highest Sr (1.60 mg/kg), Ni (0.25 mg/kg) and Cr (0.13 mg/kg). The results show relevant Al levels (1.17 &ndash; 13.4 mg/kg) with its highest levels in corn gofio. The mean Pb average content in the cereals is 0.03 &ndash; 0.08 mg/kg with the highest level observed in corn gofio. The Al and Pb levels are lower in cereals without husks. A consumption of 100 g/day of corn gofio provide an intake of 1.34 mg Al/day (13.7% of the tolerable weekly intake established at 1 mg/kg bw/week) and 8 &micro;g Pb/day (20% of the BMDL set at 0.63 &micro;g/kg bw/day for nephrotoxic effects). The minimization of the dietary exposure of the Cape Verdean population to toxic metals is through the importation of higher quality cereals.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 7289
Author(s):  
Michalina Gałgowska ◽  
Renata Pietrzak-Fiećko

Mushrooms are able to accumulate toxic trace elements. This study investigates the content of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in selected species of fungi (Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, and Cantharellus cibarius) from the northeastern part of Poland and estimates their edible safety. The amount of Cd and Pb was determined by flameless atomic spectrometry using the iCE 3000 Series-Thermo. The mean content of Cd in analyzed mushrooms ranged from 0.370 to 2.151 mg/kg d.w., while Pb was found at the level of 0.243–0.424 mg/kg d.w. Boletus edulis was characterized by the highest content of Cd, whereas Cantharellus cibarius contained the biggest amount of Pb. Estimated exposure to the Cd intake expressed as percentage share in TWI (Tolerable Weekly Intake) was at the highest level in Boletus edulis (30.87%), which could be associated with the risk of excessive Cd accumulation in the body.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia A. King ◽  
Jayme Cox ◽  
Shalini Bhatia ◽  
Karen T. Snider

Abstract Context Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is an adjunctive treatment approach available to geriatric patients, but few studies provide details about presenting conditions, treatments, and response to osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in that patient population. Objectives To provide descriptive data on the presentation and management of geriatric patients receiving OMT at an outpatient osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine (ONMM) clinic. Methods Data were retrospectively collected from electronic health records (EHR) at a single outpatient clinic for clinical encounters with patients over 60 years of age who were treated with OMT between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019. Records were reviewed for demographic information, insurance type, presenting concerns, assessments, regions treated, OMT techniques used, and treatment response. Results There were 9,155 total clinical encounters with 1,238 unique patients found during the study period. More women than men were represented for overall encounters (6,910 [75.4%] vs. 2,254 [24.6%]) and unique patients (850 [68.7%] vs. 388 [31.3%]; both p<0.001). The mean (standard deviation, SD) number of encounters per patient per year was 4.5 (4.0) and increased with increasing age by decade (p<0.001). Medicare was the most common primary insurance (7,246 [79.2%]), with private insurance the most common secondary insurance (8,440 [92.2%]). The total number of presenting concerns was 12,020, and back concerns were most common (6,406 [53.3%]). The total number of assessments was 18,290; most were neuromusculoskeletal (17,271 [94.5%]) and in the thoracolumbar region (7,109 [38.9%]). The mean (SD) number of somatic dysfunction assessments per encounter was 5 (1.7); the thoracic region was the most documented and treated (7,263 [15.8%]). With up to 19 technique types per encounter, the total number of OMT techniques documented across all encounters was 43,862, and muscle energy (7,203 [16.4%]) was the most documented. The use of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) declined as age increased (p<0.001). The overall treatment response was documented in 7,316 (79.9%) encounters, and most indicated improvement (7,290 [99.6%]). Conclusions Our results showed that geriatric patients receiving OMT at our clinic were predominately presenting for neuromusculoskeletal concerns associated with back, neck, and extremity conditions, consistent with national epidemiological data for this population. The most common OMT techniques were also consistent with those used nationally by osteopathic medical students and practicing physicians. Future longitudinal studies are needed to determine the length of time improvement persists and the overall health impact experienced by geriatric patients receiving OMT.


2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawel Konieczynski ◽  
Agnieszka Arceusz ◽  
Marek Wesolowski

AbstractThe aim of the studies was to establish relationships between flavonoids and elements important for human health. Therefore, total contents of flavonoids and phosphorus were determined by UV/Vis methods, flavonoids by HPLC, and Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu by FAAS in 68 infusions of medicinal herbs. Total flavonoids content in the aqueous extracts were in the range of 0.26 - 16.40 mg per 100 mL. The mean flavonoid contents (in mg per 100 mL of aqueous extract) were 2.24, 2.01, 1.83, 1.88 for rutin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, P were determined in mg per 100 mL, and of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in μg per 100 mL. Total content of flavonoids was weakly correlated with quercetin (r = 0.41), kaempferol (r = 0.53), Cu (r = 0.43), and Ca (r = -0.30). Statistically significant correlations were also found among Cu, Ca, Mn, Zn and Fe. Cluster analysis grouped the studied herbs based on total flavonoids, also four flavonoids and essential elements contents, extracted from the whole population of herbs Sambuci flos, Betulae folium, and Sylibi mariani semen. Principal component analysis confirmed these findings and enabled identification of quercetin, kaempferol, Cu and Fe as the factors responsible for differentiation of the studied material.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-222
Author(s):  
Zahraa Hassan ◽  
Hazima Al-Abassi ◽  
Monim Al-Jiboori

This investigation aim to evaluate the effect of heat wave on health of human, so to achieve this 40 blood samples for person exposed to heat wave were drawn most patients were attend to specialists in hospital laboratories (Medical City, Ibn al-Baladi, Sheikh Zayed, Kadhimiya Educational). The patients aged 10–60 years, male (20) and female (20). CBC analyzes was performed. The result of the presents study recorded a highly signifi cant difference in total (mean and percent) as compared with the normal value of the CBC analyze the result for total (mean and percent) for male the factors CRP, ESR, WBC, PCV, PL (15.5, 43, 11.35, 28.5, 215) respectively (100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%) and the result for total (mean and percent) for female the factors CRP, ESR, WBC, PCV, PL (15, 43.5, 11.35, 31, 220.5) respectively (100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%). According to the result we can conclude that there was a highly significant deferent in mean value for patient compared with the normal value which is the mean cause of hard attack which lead to death. The study is the fi rst of its kind in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences in Iraq.


Author(s):  
Giuseppa Di Bella ◽  
Roberta Tardugno ◽  
Nicola Cicero

Mercury (Hg) fish and seafood contamination is a global concern and needs worldwide sea investigations in order to protect consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the Hg concentration by means of a rapid and simple analytical technique with direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80) in pelagic fish species, Tetrapturus belone (spearfish), Thunnus thynnus (tuna) and Xiphias gladius (swordfish) caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Hg contents were evaluated also in Salmo salar (salmon) as pelagic fish not belonging to the Mediterranean area. The results obtained were variable ranging between 0,015-2,562 mg kg-1 for T. thynnus specie, 0,477-3,182 mg kg-1 for X. gladius, 0,434-1,730 mg kg-1 for T. belone and 0,004-0,019 mg kg-1 for S. salar, respectively. The total Hg tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and % tolerable weekly intake (TWI%) values according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) were calculated. The results highlighted that the pelagic species caught in the Mediterranean Sea should be constantly monitored due to their high Hg contents as well as their TWI and TWI% with respect to S. salar samples.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calogero Di Bella ◽  
Antonino Calagna ◽  
Gaetano Cammilleri ◽  
Pietro Schembri ◽  
Daniela Lo Monaco ◽  
...  

A risk assessment, related to the consumption of farmed sea bass, was carried out by meta-analysis, taking into account the concentration of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Hg) reported in the literature, the estimated weekly intake (EWI), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), and the target hazard quotient (THQ). The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg in farmed sea bass marketed in Sicily (Southern Italy) were also assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to have screening data for the comparison with literature results. In any case, the results obtained by meta-analysis and by screening were lower than the pre-established legal limits for each metal. The meta-analysis results showed very low levels of Cd (0.031 μg g–1 w.w.), Pb (0.110 μg g–1 w.w.), and Hg (0.023 μg g–1 w.w.). The EWI estimation confirmed safety limits for human health (0.004, 0.015, and 0.003 μg kg–1 for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively). Even the THQ demonstrated that farmed sea bass represent a secure food for humans (0.0006, 0.0005, and 0.0048 for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively). The comparison with our screening data showed a significant difference only for the Pb levels (p &lt; 0.05). The results obtained were compared with the same indexes relative to other food types (meat, cereals, vegetables, etc.). The EWI and THQ calculated were always lower than same indexes relative to other food types considered.


Author(s):  
Federica Castellani ◽  
Lamberto Manzoli ◽  
Cecilia Acuti Martellucci ◽  
Maria Elena Flacco ◽  
Maria Luisa Astolfi ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contamination levels of some classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in free-range hen eggs and to estimate the related human dietary exposure in a Site of National Interest (SNI), characterized by a serious state of environmental pollution (Bussi sul Tirino area, central Italy). For these purposes, 17 samples of free-range hen eggs collected in home-producing farms located in the SNI territory were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Dietary exposure was assessed assuming a standard consumption of eggs per week. The concentration of ∑PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs ranged from 0.463 to 8.028 pg TEQ (Toxic Equivalent) g−1 fat, while the mean contamination level of the ∑ndl-PCBs ranged from 0.234 to 7.741 ng TEQ g−1 fat. PCDD/Fs and PCBs contamination levels were lower than maximum values established by the Commission Regulation (EU) 1259/2011, except for one sample. The estimated weekly intake (EWI), calculated in order to evaluate the contribution in terms of the monitored pollutants of the locally produced eggs to the diet, was lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Sahli ◽  
Hadjer Belhiouani

Abstract The tree species differed by their capacity to capture air-borne dust and to allocate trace element from contaminated soil. The aim of this study was to explore the accumulation potential of heavy metals (HMs) by F. retusa L. and its possible use for air pollution biomonitoring in urban areas. Plant material was sampled along the national roads in Constantine city (NE-Algeria), characterized by an intense traffic load. The concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were determined in the washed and unwashed leaves. The mean concentrations of HMs decrease in the following order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd for both studied leaves, and were about 0.68 and 0.98 µg/g for Cd, 7.26 and 8.74 µg/g for Cu, 20.35 and 37.61 µg/g for Pb and 63.33 µg/g and 75.94 µg/g for Zn, for washed/unwashed leaves respectively. The studied metal contents were significantly higher than those cited in the literature; this indicates the traffic road impact on HMs emissions and uptake by plants. Higher values of metal accumulation index (MAI) indicate the effectiveness of the studied species for monitoring air metallic pollution in urban areas, and its usefulness for phytoextraction of HMs from the polluted soils and/or air. Results of this study could be beneficial as preliminary reference values for HMs uptake by F. retusa in urban environments.


Author(s):  
Shahin Mahmud ◽  
Md. Firoz Ali ◽  
Md. Omar Faruque ◽  
Muhammad Wasim ◽  
Fatematuz Zuhura Evamoni ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the microbial quality and associated health Methodology: An intensive study was carried out from January¬ to October 2019 at the Tangail district of Bangladesh to assess bacterial contamination of raw milk. A total of 60 samples were examined by following the standard bacteriological methods and the health impact was evaluated with the help of a semi-structured-based questionnaire. Molecular characterization of isolated bacteria was carried out by PCR. Results: Results revealed the mean values of TVC and TCC in raw milk, udder, oil, and utensil samples were 7.6×106, 8.8×106, 4.6×106, and 1.3×106 cfu/ml and 3.7×105, 1.4×106, 4.4×105, and 8.9×104 cfu/ml, respectively. The yeast and mold in raw milk, udder, and oil were 1.5×103, 1.8×103, and 1.3×102cfu/ml, respectively, and the mean values of E. coli in the above-mentioned samples were 1.9×103, 1.8×104, 2.1×103, and 1.6×103cfu/ml, respectively. On the other hand, the mean values of Salmonella spp. in raw milk, udder, oil, and utensil samples were 2.4×102, 7.9×102, 1.5×102, and 1.1×102cfu/ml, respectively. Some selected isolates confirmed by molecular identification were tested for their sensitivity against some common antibiotics used in Bangladesh. Escherichia coli showed 70% resistance to Amoxicillin and 90% sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin whereas Salmonella spp. And Staphylococcus aureus showed 90% resistance to Ampicillin and both were 80% and 90% sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, respectively. Conclusion, Significance, and Impact of Study: Milk producers should be appropriately trained to monitor the overall hygienic conditions surrounding the production and handling of milk until it reaches the consumer. Frequent monitoring of the milk production facility, occasional testing of raw milk, and minimal use of antibiotics will ensure the quality of milk. Consumption of quality milk and avoidance of raw milk consumption will reduce the health risk of the consumers.


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