Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 for Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia

The present study was conducted to estimate the exposure and characterize the risk for the child population of Serbia to Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) from milk and milk-based food. A total of 3404 samples comprising milk and different milk-based food samples were collected from various regions of Serbia from 2017 to 2019. Evaluation of AFM1 exposure was carried out using the deterministic method, whereas risk characterization was evaluated using the margin of exposure (MOE) and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Detection rates for AFM1 in milk and milk-based food samples ranged between 2% and 79%, with the highest incidence (79%) and mean level (22.34 ± 0.018 ng kg−1) of AFM1 being detected in pasteurized and UHT milk. According to the three consumption estimates, the values of estimated daily intake (EDI) were higher for toddlers as compared with children aged 3–­9 years. Children aged 1–3 years had the highest risk of exposure to AFM1 in milk, with an estimated daily intake of 0.164 and 0.193 ng kg−1 bw day−1 using lower bound (LB) and upper bound (UB) exposure scenarios, respectively. Such difference could result from the higher consumption to weight in younger children. Based on the estimated daily intake (EDI) found in this study, the risk of AFM1 exposure due to consumption of milk and milk-based food was low since the MOE values obtained were > 10,000. In addition, the risk of HCC cases/year/105 individuals of different age groups showed that the value of HCC, using potency estimates of 0.0017 (mean), was maximum (0.00034) in the age group 1–3 years, which indicates no health risk for the evaluated groups. The present study revealed the importance of controlling and preventing AFM1 contamination in milk through continuous monitoring and regular inspection to reduce the risk of AFM1 exposure, especially in children.

Natural Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol in Cereal-Based Baby Foods for Infants from Western Poland

The study examined 110 samples of baby products based on rice, wheat, maize and multi-grains available on the western Polish market in order to detect the level of deoxynivalenol (DON) by means of HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). DON was detected in 9.09% of the infant food samples, with an average and maximum level of 107.8 ± 30 and 148 μg/kg, respectively. The highest concentration of DON was detected in food for infants: wheat-based (mean 121 ± 7.07, 4.8%), multi-grain (mean 118 ± 5.65, 4.25%) and maize-based (mean 100 ± 37.96; 35.30%). No high DON content and high estimated daily intake were observed in the analyzed products. However, in order to minimize the harmfulness associated with the presence of DON in food for infants and young children, a risk assessment should be performed based on the monitoring results.

Bioavailability of Ca, K, Mg and Na in Arabian Yellow Finned Sea Bream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) with Estimated Daily Intake for Human Consumption

Yellow finned sea bream (Acanthopagrus arabicus) is a commercially important fish of coastal water of Pakistan. It is widely consumed by the people within and outside the country. Therefore, the paper investigates the concentration of macro-minerals (Ca, K, Mg and Na) in its meat and gills. The concentrations of different elements demonstrated statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between meat and gills of the fish. Significantly higher concentrations of calcium and lower concentrations of potassium and sodium were recorded in gills compared to those in meat. In meat, mean concentrations were found in the order Na (5.41%) > K (3.44%) > Ca (2.16%) > Mg (0.24%), while in gills, the mean concentrations were Ca (57.72%) > Na (3.43%) > K (1.19%) > Mg (0.31%). Statistically significant correlations (P < 0.05) were noted between the body weight and the concentrations of calcium and magnesium in the meat of fish. The results are also compared with estimated daily intake and dietary reference intake values. The present study suggests that Acanthopagrus arabicus is an important source of macro-minerals for human consumption.

Evaluation of trace element levels in beef cuts available to the consumers in Serbia

The present study evaluated the levels of Mn, Se, Cu and Zn in beef cuts available at markets in Serbia. We also assessed the risk associated with the consumption of these foods based on the estimated daily intake (EDI) of these elements. Thirty-six beef meat cuts were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The EDI of all the studied elements was estimated on the basis of a calculation of the amount of beef consumed by Serbian households (mean beef consumption of 17.2 g/person/day). The studied beef cuts pose no risk with respect to the EDIs of Mn, Se, Cu and Zn. Among the four studied beef cuts, shoulder had the highest content of dietary zinc (68.2 mg/kg).

Kandungan Logam Berat (Pb dan Hg) pada Sayuran di Desa Kopeng Kabupaten Semarang dan Analisis Risiko Kesehatan Lingkungannya

Abstrak : Desa Kopeng, Kabupaten Semarang merupakan kawasan pertanian sayuran. Kegiatan pertanian seperti penggunaan pestisida dapat menyebabkan kontaminasi logam berat pada sayuran dan dapat mengganggu kesehatan yang bersifat karsinogenik pada logam berat timbal dan non-karsinogenik pada logam berat merkruri pada setiap orang yang mengkonsumsinya secara teratur. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui konsentrasi timbal dan merkuri pada sayuran di Desa Kopeng dan mengetahui risiko kesehatannya yang merupakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif dengan metode uji laboratorium menggunakan spektrometri serapan atom dan analisis risiko kesehatan lingkungan. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 15 diambil secara proporsional random sampling. Terdiri dari sayuran kubis, brokoli dan selada. Perhitungan risiko kesehatan non-karsinogenik dan karsinogenik meliputi estimated daily intake (EDI); hazard quotients (HQ) dan hazard index (HI); serta lifetime risk cancer (LCR) untuk logam berat Pb. Diperoleh rata-rata kandungan Pb pada seluruh sayuran sebesar 0,069 dan Hg <0,002 mg/kg. Hasil tersebut berada di bawah nilai ambang batas logam berat sayuran yaitu 0,5 untuk Pb dan 0,03 mg/kg untuk Hg. Perhitungan risiko kesehatan karsinogenik pada konsumsi kubis, brokoli dan selada di Desa Kopeng belum memberikan risiko kesehatan, namun pada perhitungan risiko kesehatan non-karsinogenik HI pada anak-anak sudah berisiko. Sebaiknya mengonsumsi sayuran dan buah-buahan yang beragam dan dan dicuci menggunakan air bersih dan mengalir sebelum dikonsumsi.Kata Kunci: sayuran; timbal; merkuri; risiko kesehatan; KopengAbstract: Kopeng in Distric Semarang is a vegetables agricultural area. Agricultural activities such as the use of pesticides can cause heavy metal contamination of vegetables and can cause health problems which are carcinogenic to heavy metal lead and non-carcinogenic to heavy metal mercury in everyone who consumes them regularly. This study aims to determine the concentration of lead and mercury in vegetables in Kopeng and to determine their health risks. This research is a quantitative descriptive study using laboratory test methods using atomic absorption spectrometry and environmental health risk analysis. The research sample 15 was taken by proportional random sampling. Consisting of cabbage vegetables, broccoli and lettuce. Calculations of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks include estimated daily intake (EDI); hazard quotients (HQ) and hazard index (HI); and lifetime risk cancer (LCR) for heavy metal Pb. Results an average Pb content in all vegetables of 0.069 and Hg <0.002 mg/kg. These results are below the threshold values for heavy metals in vegetables, namely 0.5 for Pb and 0.03 mg/kg for Hg. Calculation of carcinogenic health risks in the consumption of cabbage, broccoli and lettuce in Kopeng Village has not provided a health risk, but the non-carcinogenic health risk of HI in children is already at risk. We recommend that you eat a variety of vegetables and fruits and wash them using clean and running water before consumption.Keywords: vegetables; lead; mercury; health risk; Kopeng

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals in Mussels Collected from Madura Strait, Indonesia

HighlightHeavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in the seawater, sediment, and soft part of marine mussels were analyzedBioaccumulation Factor (BAF), Estimated Daily Intake and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) were calculatedHeavy metals in the seawater, sediment and marine mussels were found in varying concentrationsHealth risk assessment indexes showed low values which means insignificant health hazardAbstractMarine mussels are known as one of the biological indicators of heavy metals pollution in the aquatic environment and the sources of protein for human consumption. This study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in the seawater, sediment, and soft parts of the marine mussels (Perna viridis, Meretrix sp., and Anadara granosa), as well as to evaluate its health risk of consumption from Madura Strait, Indonesia. The seawater, sediment, and marine mussels were obtained from four sites and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. In the seawater, heavy metals were in the order of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn from the highest to the lowest concentration respectively, while they went down in the order of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in the sediment respectively. Excluding the Pb, higher Cu and Zn concentrations were observed in marine mussels than in seawater and sediments (BAF> 1). Furthermore, it was proven that Cu and Zn were considered as essential metals and required for metabolism, while Pb and Cd were non-essential metals which their biological functions were unknown. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of the marine mussels was lower than the oral reference dose (ORD) and low values of target hazard quotient (THQ < 1) had shown that the consumption of mussels containing heavy metals would not cause significant health risks to humans. The health risk assessment indexes showed low values, which meant insignificant health hazard. However, long-term exposure and the impact of consuming mussels containing heavy metals may require additional investigation

Estimation of Heavy Metals and Associated Health Risk in Selected Vegetables Grown in Peri-Urban Areas of Multan and Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Food security is a serious issue in developing countries like Pakistan because of ever-increasing population. To feed the hunger population, safe and nutritious vegetables are growing concern as they are being polluted by heavy metals. The present study was conducted to investigate the concentration of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in highly consumed vegetable collected from peri-urban markets of Rawalpindi and Multan region. Health risk associated with the consumption of these vegetables in term of estimated daily intake of metals (EDIM) and health risk index (HRI) was also evaluated among local consumers. Results showed that mean values of cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in all vegetable samples from both region were exceeding the respective MAL set by FAO/WHO. Estimated daily intake of heavy metals was found below than the permissible limit. EDIM showed following decreasing trend Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Pb > Cr and Cd, respectively. The health risk index (HRI) for all heavy metals were less than the threshold level (1), indicating no significant threat to the local population through the consumption of these vegetables.

The occurrence of aflatoxins and human health risk estimations in randomly obtained maize from some markets in Ghana

Maize and its products are most often prone to fungal contamination especially during cultivation and storage by toxigenic fungi. Aflatoxicosis still persist in Ghana despite the numerous education on several ways of its prevention at the farm as well as its adverse health implications which are food safety concerns. A random assessment and human risk analysis was conducted on 90 maize (72 white and 18 colored) samples from markets across all the regions of Ghana. Total aflatoxins (AFtotal) and the constitutive aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Out of a total of ninety (90) samples investigated, 72 (80%) tested positive for AFB1 and the contamination levels ranged from 0.78 ± 0.04 to 339.3 ± 8.6 µg kg−1. Similarly, AFG2 was detected in only 14 (15.5%) samples, and their values ranged between 1.09 ± 0.03 and 5.51 ± 0.26 µg kg−1 while AF total ranged between 0.78 ± 0.04 and 445.01 ± 8.9 µg kg−1 constituting approximately 72 (80%). Limits of AFB1 and total aflatoxins (AFtotal) for the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) (5 and 10 µg kg−1) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2 and 4 µg kg−1), were used as checks. A total of 33 (41.25%) samples were above the limits for both. Risk assessments recorded for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (H.Q), Hazard Index (H.I), Margin of Exposure (MOE), av. Potency, and population risks ranged 0.087–0.38 μg kg−1 bw day−1, 1.5–6.9, 0.0087–0.38, 3.64–12.09, 0–0.0396 ng Aflatoxins kg−1 bw day−1 and, 3.5 × 10–1–0.015 respectively for total aflatoxins. While ranges for aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) recorded were 0.068–0.3 μg Kg bw−1 day−1, 2.43–10.64, 0.0068–0.030, 4.73–20.51, 0–0.0396 ng Aflatoxins kg−1 bw day−1 and, 2.69 × 10–3–0.012 for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (H.Q), Hazard Index (H.I), Margin of Exposure (MOE), Av. potency, and population risks respectively. It was deduced that although there was some observed contamination of maize across the different ecological zones, the consumption of maize (white and colored) posed no adverse health effects on the population of Ghana since computed H.I was less than 1 (< 1).