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Irshad M, Ahmed M, Ramzan M, Fatima M, Aftab F, Sanaullah M, Qamar S, Iftikhar Z, Wani TA, Zargar S. Appraisal of potentially toxic metals contamination in protein supplements for muscle growth: A chemometric approach and associated human health risks. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 85:127481. [PMID: 38878468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of protein supplements by athletes has risen due to their effectiveness in meeting dietary needs. However, there is a growing concern about the presence of potentially toxic metals (PTMs. Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in these supplements. Consequently, it is crucial to evaluate the levels of these PTMs to ensure the safety of the supplements. METHODS The objective of the current study was to assess the PTMs concentrations in protein supplements and examine any possible health hazards. Twenty-five samples of protein supplements were purchased from different pharmacies to screen them for metals. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was utilized to analyze metal content. Additionally, chemometric methods such as Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC), principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were employed to identify possible sources of PTMs contamination in protein supplements. RESULTS Concentration ranges for PTMs were found as, Al (0.03-3.05 mg/kg), Cr (0.11-0.89 mg/kg), Mn (1.13-8.40 mg/kg), Ni (0.06-0.71 mg/kg), Cu (1.05-5.51 mg/kg), Zn (2.14-27.10 mg/kg), Cd (0.01-0.78 mg/kg), and Pb (0.06-0.57 mg/kg). The weekly intake of Cd exceeded the level of tolerable weekly intake (TWI) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). CONCLUSION Athletes, bodybuilders, fitness enthusiasts, dieters, young adults and adolescents, and health-conscious individuals should be conscious of Cd concentration as it does not compliance the TWI set by EFSA. Target hazard quotient (THQ < 1), hazard index (HI < 1), margin of exposure (MOE ≥ 1), percentile permitted daily exposure (% PDE < 100), and cumulative cancer risk (CCR < 1 × 10-3) analyses revealed that there are no appreciable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with the use of these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misbah Irshad
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ramzan
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mehreen Fatima
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fatima Aftab
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mudassar Sanaullah
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shaista Qamar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zohaib Iftikhar
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tanveer A Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 222452, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Naz M, Ahmed M, Aftab F, Ali MA, Sanaullah M, Ahmad W, Alshammari AH, Khalid K, Wani TA, Zargar S. Contamination of trace, non-essential/heavy metals in nutraceuticals/dietary supplements: A chemometric modelling approach and evaluation of human health risk upon dietary exposure. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 190:114806. [PMID: 38852757 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Across the world, nutraceuticals/dietary supplements are commonly consumed without medical supervision, and believing these products are harmless to health. However, these products may contain trace (TMs) and non-essential/heavy metals (nHMs) as contaminants at levels higher than the recommended daily allowance (RDA), which can be hazardous to human health. Consequently, it is crucial to assess the levels of these metals to ensure the safety of these products. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of TMs (Mn, Cu and Zn) and nHMs (Al, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) in nutraceuticals/dietary supplements. Metal analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Multivariate and bivariate analysis including principle component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were applied to understand inter-metal association and sources of these metals. Concentration ranges for TMs were found as, Mn (0.2-4.3 mg/kg), Cu (0.11-2.54 mg/kg), and Zn (0.1-22.66 mg/kg) while the nHMs concentration ranges were: Al (0.046-3.336 mg/kg), Cr (0.11-1.63 mg/kg), Ni (0.18-0.72 mg/kg), Cd (0.04-0.92 mg/kg), and Pb (0.18-1.08 mg/kg). The levels of tolerable dietary intake (TDI) for Cr and Ni, and the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) limit for Cd, exceeded the values set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The estimation of the target hazard quotient (THQ <1), hazard index (HI < 1) and cumulative cancer risk (CCR <1 ✕ 10-3) indicated no significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with consuming these products. Therefore, the primary recommendation from this study is to use the nutraceuticals/dietary supplements should be under the supervision of dietitian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misbah Naz
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Fatima Aftab
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Maryam Ahmad Ali
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mudassar Sanaullah
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Waqar Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Atekah Hazzaa Alshammari
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 222452, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khuram Khalid
- Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Sheridan College, 7899 McLaughlin Road Brampton, Ontario, L6Y 5H9, Canada
| | - Tanveer A Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 222452, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Hiller E, Faragó T, Kolesár M, Filová L, Mihaljevič M, Jurkovič Ľ, Demko R, Machlica A, Štefánek J, Vítková M. Metal(loid)s in urban soil from historical municipal solid waste landfill: Geochemistry, source apportionment, bioaccessibility testing and human health risks. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142677. [PMID: 38908448 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Landfills, especially those poorly managed, can negatively affect the environment and human beings through chemical contamination of soils and waters. This study investigates the soils of a historical municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill situated in the heart of a residential zone in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, with an emphasis on metal (loid) contamination and its consequences. Regardless of the depth, many of the soils exhibited high metal (loid) concentrations, mainly Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn and Zn (up to 24, 2620, 2420, 134, 811 and 6220 mg/kg, respectively), classifying them as extremely contaminated based on the geo-accumulation index (Igeo >5). The stable lead isotopic ratios of the landfill topsoil varied widely (1.1679-1.2074 for 206Pb/207Pb and 2.0573-2.1111 for 208Pb/206Pb) and indicated that Pb contained a natural component and an anthropogenic component, likely municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash and construction waste. Oral bioaccessibility of metal (loid)s in the topsoil was variable with Cd (73.2-106%) and Fe (0.98-2.10%) being the most and least bioaccessible, respectively. The variation of metal (loid) bioaccessibility among the soils could be explained by differences in their geochemical fractionation as shown by positive correlations of bioaccessibility values with the first two fractions of BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction for As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn. The results of geochemical fractionation coupled with the mineralogical characterisation of topsoil showed that the reservoir of bioaccessible metal (loid)s was calcite and Fe (hydr)oxides. Based on aqua regia metal (loid) concentrations, a non-carcinogenic risk was demonstrated for children (HI = 1.59) but no risk taking into account their bioaccessible concentrations (HI = 0.65). This study emphasises the need for detailed research of the geochemistry of wastes deposited in urban soils to assess the potentially hazardous sources and determine the actual bioaccessibility and human health risks of the accumulated metal (loid)s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Hiller
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Tomáš Faragó
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Martin Kolesár
- DEKONTA Slovensko, Ltd., Odeská 49, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Lenka Filová
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina 1, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Ľubomír Jurkovič
- Department of Geochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Rastislav Demko
- Department of Older Geological Formations, Division of Geology, State Geological Institute of Dionýz Štúr, Mlynská dolina 1, 817 04 Bratislava 11, Slovak Republic.
| | - Andrej Machlica
- DEKONTA Slovensko, Ltd., Odeská 49, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Ján Štefánek
- DEKONTA Slovensko, Ltd., Odeská 49, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Martina Vítková
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Ahmed M, Ahmad M, Khan MA, Sohail A, Sanaullah M, Ahmad W, Iqbal DN, Khalid K, Wani TA, Zargar S. Assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to potentially toxic elements in tea infusions: Determination by ICP-OES and multivariate statistical data analysis. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 84:127454. [PMID: 38669815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The perennial evergreen tea (Camellia sinensis) plant is one of the most popular nonalcoholic drinks in the world. Fertilizers and industrial, agricultural, and municipal activities are the usual drivers of soil contamination, contaminating tea plants with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). These elements might potentially accumulate to larger amounts in the leaves of plants after being taken up from the soil. Thus, frequent monitoring of these elements is critically important. METHODS The present study intended to determine PTEs (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in both tea leaves and infusions using ICP-OES. Various multivariate data analysis methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were employed to elucidate the potential sources of PTEs contamination, whether from anthropogenic activities or natural origins. Additionally, Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) was calculated to assess the relationships between the variables under study. RESULTS The mean contents (mg/L) of all studied elements in tea infusions decreased in order Mn (150.59 ± 1.66) > Fe (11.39 ± 0.99) > Zn (6.62 ± 0.89) > Cu (5.86 ± 0.62) > Co (3.25 ± 0.64) > Ni (1.69 ± 0.23) > Pb (1.08 ± 0.16) > Cr (0.57 ± 0.09) > Cd (0.46 ± 0.09) > Al (0.05 ± 0.008), indicating that Mn exhibits the highest abundance. The mean concentration trend in tea leaf samples mirrored that of infusions, albeit with higher concentrations of PTEs in the former. The tolerable dietary intake (TDI) value for Ni and provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) value for Cd surpassed the standards set by the WHO and EFSA. Calculated hazard index (HI < 1) and cumulative cancer risk (CCR) values suggest negligible exposure risk. CONCLUSION Elevated levels of PTEs in commonly consumed tea products concern the public and regulatory agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ayyan Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Sohail
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mudassar Sanaullah
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Waqar Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Dure Najaf Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Khuram Khalid
- Faculty of Applied Science and Technology، Sheridan College, 7899 McLaughlin Road Brampton, Ontario L6Y 5H9, Canada
| | - Tanveer A Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 222452, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Khan AHA, Soto-Cañas A, Rad C, Curiel-Alegre S, Rumbo C, Velasco-Arroyo B, de Wilde H, Pérez-de-Mora A, Martel-Martín S, Barros R. Macrophyte assisted phytoremediation and toxicological profiling of metal(loid)s polluted water is influenced by hydraulic retention time. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33934-2. [PMID: 38890256 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The present study reports findings related to the treatment of polluted groundwater using macrophyte-assisted phytoremediation. The potential of three macrophyte species (Phragmites australis, Scirpus holoschoenus, and Typha angustifolia) to tolerate exposure to multi-metal(loid) polluted groundwater was first evaluated in mesocosms for 7- and 14-day batch testing. In the 7-day batch test, the polluted water was completely replaced and renewed after 7 days, while for 14 days exposure, the same polluted water, added in the first week, was maintained. The initial biochemical screening results of macrophytes indicated that the selected plants were more tolerant to the provided conditions with 14 days of exposure. Based on these findings, the plants were exposed to HRT regimes of 15 and 30 days. The results showed that P. australis and S. holoschoenus performed better than T. angustifolia, in terms of metal(loid) accumulation and removal, biomass production, and toxicity reduction. In addition, the translocation and compartmentalization of metal(loid)s were dose-dependent. At the 30-day loading rate (higher HRT), below-ground phytostabilization was greater than phytoaccumulation, whereas at the 15-day loading rate (lower HRT), below- and above-ground phytoaccumulation was the dominant metal(loid) removal mechanism. However, higher levels of toxicity were noted in the water at the 15-day loading rate. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for macrophyte-assisted phytoremediation of polluted (ground)water streams that can help to improve the design and implementation of phytoremediation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqib Hassan Ali Khan
- International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies (ICCRAM), University of Burgos, Centro de I+D+I. Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Alberto Soto-Cañas
- International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies (ICCRAM), University of Burgos, Centro de I+D+I. Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Carlos Rad
- Research Group in Composting (UBUCOMP), Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N, 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Sandra Curiel-Alegre
- International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies (ICCRAM), University of Burgos, Centro de I+D+I. Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain
- Research Group in Composting (UBUCOMP), Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N, 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Carlos Rumbo
- International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies (ICCRAM), University of Burgos, Centro de I+D+I. Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Blanca Velasco-Arroyo
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos, S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Herwig de Wilde
- Department of Soil and Groundwater, TAUW België Nv, Waaslandlaan 8A3, 9160, Lokeren, Belgium
| | - Alfredo Pérez-de-Mora
- Department of Soil and Groundwater, TAUW GmbH, Landsbergerstr. 290, 80687, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonia Martel-Martín
- International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies (ICCRAM), University of Burgos, Centro de I+D+I. Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Rocío Barros
- International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies (ICCRAM), University of Burgos, Centro de I+D+I. Plaza Misael Bañuelos S/N. 09001, Burgos, Spain.
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Sultana S. Prioritizing Asthma Treatment Drugs through Multicriteria Decision Making. Int J Anal Chem 2024; 2024:6516976. [PMID: 38348340 PMCID: PMC10861281 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6516976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a medical condition characterized by inflammation, narrowing, and swelling of a person's airways, leading to increased mucus production and difficulties in breathing. Topological indices are instrumental in assessing the physical and chemical attributes of these asthma drugs. As resistance to current treatments continues to emerge and undesirable side effects are linked to certain medications, the search for novel and enhanced drugs becomes a top priority. In this study, the examination of 19 distinct asthma medications was focused. In this study, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) modeling, in combination with multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) technique VIKOR (VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje) were employed on asthma drugs, to achieve the most favorable rankings for each asthma drug, taking into account their distinct properties. The topological indices employed for QSPR modeling were Randic index, reciprocal Randic index, Zagreb indices, hyper-Zagreb index, harmonic index, geometric arithmetic index, and forgotten index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobia Sultana
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), P.O. Box 90950, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
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Ahmed M, Shafqat SS, Javed A, Sanaullah M, Shakoor A, Shafiq MI, Shahzadi SK, Wani TA, Zargar S. Exposure Assessment of Essential and Potentially Toxic Metals in Wheat-Based Sweets for Human Consumption: Multivariate Analysis and Risk Evaluation Studies. Molecules 2023; 28:7365. [PMID: 37959786 PMCID: PMC10650165 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the negative impact of unforeseen contaminants such as metals in commonly consumed food items, which pose a threat to human well-being. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to evaluate the levels of these contaminants to guarantee the safe consumption of these food items. The goal of the current research is to determine the levels of essential (EMs: Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) and potentially toxic metals (PTMs: Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb) in various brands of wheat-based sweets. One hundred samples were collected and analysed via flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Also, the current study was to investigate the distribution, correlation, and multivariate analysis of 13 metals (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to interpret the metals' association. The concentration (mg/kg) ranges of EMs were, in order, Mg (12.70-65.67), Ca (24.02-209.12), Mn (1.32-9.61), Fe (4.55-111.23), Co (0.32-8.94), Cu (2.12-8.61), and Zn (2.60-19.36), while the concentration (mg/kg) ranges of PTMs were, in order, Al (0.32-0.87), Cr (0.17-5.74), Ni (0.36-1.54), Cd (0.16-0.56), and Pb (0.14-0.92), and As was not detected in any sample under investigation. The HCA data revealed that Co, Al, and Ni form clusters with other metals. Sweets are prepared at high temperatures, and the elevated temperatures can increase the likelihood of Ni and Al leaching from stainless steel. Tolerable dietary intake (TDI) values for Ni were higher than the values established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The CR value found for the Ni and Cr was at the threshold level of cancer risk, if an amount of 25 g were to be used over a lifetime. In a nutshell, this study highlights the monitoring of EM and PTM levels in wheat-based sweets, and from a food safety perspective, the study is important for consumers of wheat-based sweets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore 54770, Pakistan; (S.S.S.); (A.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Syed Salman Shafqat
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore 54770, Pakistan; (S.S.S.); (A.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Amna Javed
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore 54770, Pakistan; (S.S.S.); (A.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Mudassar Sanaullah
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore 54770, Pakistan; (S.S.S.); (A.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Abdul Shakoor
- CSH Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd., Ferozepur Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Imtiaz Shafiq
- School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan;
- Center for Bioinformatics and Drug Designing, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Kiran Shahzadi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada;
| | - Tanveer A. Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 222452, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
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