Estrogenic activity of capsule coffee using the VM7Luc4E2 assay

Assessing dietary bisphenol A exposure among Koreans: comprehensive database construction and analysis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure primarily occurs through dietary intake. This study aimed to estimate the extent of dietary BPA exposure among Koreans. A thorough literature search was conducted to establish a BPA content database encompassing common foods consumed in Korea, including various food raw materials and processed food products. Dietary exposure levels were estimated by integrating the constructed BPA database with comprehensive nationwide 24 h-dietary recall datasets. The finding revealed that dietary BPA exposure was low for most Koreans, with a mean of 14.5 ng/kg bw/day, but was higher for preschool-age children (over 23 ng). Canned foods accounted for 9-36% of the total dietary exposure of the highest dietary exposure groups; while across all age groups, a considerable amount was derived from canned tuna, contribution of canned fruits and canned coffee (milk-containing) was high for preschool-age children and adults, respectively. Notably, for adults, a substantial proportion also stemmed from beer packaged in cans. While diet contributed over 80% of aggregate exposure for most age groups, preschool-age children experienced 60% exposure through diet due to additional exposure from indoor dust. Even at the high exposure scenario, aggregate BPA exposure levels remained lower than the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by the Korean agency (20 μg/kg bw/day). Nevertheless, most Koreans were exposed to BPA levels surpassing the strictest TDI (0.2 ng/kg bw/day) set by the European Food Safety Authority.

A review of endocrine disrupting chemicals migration from food contact materials into beverages

A significant and pressing issue revolves around the potential human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which pose a substantial risk primarily through contaminated beverages. However, a comprehensive review for comparison of the migration rates of EDCs into these matrixes is currently lacking. This study reviews the beverages contamination with EDCs, including phthalates (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA), hormone-like compounds, elements, and other organic EDCs. Also, the EDCs migration into milk and other dairy products, coffee, tea, and cold beverages related to their release from contact materials, preparation components, and storage conditions are briefly summarized. The data illustrates that besides the contamination of raw materials, the presence of EDCs associated with the type of food contact materials (FCMs)and their migration rate is increased with acidity, temperature, and storage time. The highest concentration of PAEs was detected from plastic and synthetic polymer films, while BPA strongly leaches from epoxy resins and canned metal. Furthermore, the presence of elements with endocrine disrupting characteristics was confirmed in cold beverages, soft drinks, hot drink and milk. Moreover, hormone-like compounds have been found to be released from coffee preparation components. Despite the few data about the migration rate of other EDCs including UV-stabilizers, surfactants, and antibacterial compounds into beverages, their presence was reported into milk, coffee, and different beverages, especially in packed samples. Studies on the EDCs leaching have primarily focused on PAEs and BPA, while other compounds require further investigation. Regardless, the possible risk that EDCs pose to humans through beverage consumption cannot be overlooked.

Unbiased and biased chemometric analysis of LC-MS data from human urine following coffee intake

We carried out a human volunteer study with 14 participants, eight of whom were asked to consume one cup of coffee at four different time points. Urine samples were collected at eight time points and analyzed by HPLC-MS analysis. The LC-MS data were subjected to unsupervised multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis) followed by supervised multivariate analysis (linear discriminant analysis). In an unbiased approach, in the absence of data preselection and filtering, the most important features explaining differences between coffee consumers and the control group observed showed variations in endogenous human hormonal steroid metabolites as well as xanthine derivatives. Only after a biased data treatment data revealed differences between the sample groups based on literature reported chlorogenic acid metabolites resulting directly from coffee intake. Such analysis could confirm the presence of 21 previously reported chlorogenic acid plasma metabolites as urinary metabolites. The application of tandem MS molecular networking revealed the presence of five bioavailable chlorogenic acid derivatives in urine previously not reported, including both quinic acid lactone and dimethoxy caffeoyl esters. Selected cinnamic acids were quantified in urine.

Urinary excretion of estrogenic chemicals following consumption of capsule coffee and French press coffee: A crossover study

Background

Coffee brewed from capsules contain estrogenic chemicals (ECs) that may harm the reproductive system. However, there are no studies investigating whether consuming capsule coffee causes these ECs to present in urine.

Objective

Compare the effects of consuming capsule coffee vs. a plastic-free (French press) method on the appearance of ECs in urine.

Methods

Participants (n = 30) were randomized to consume 540 mL of capsule or French press coffee once, then switched and consumed the other coffee after washout. Urine samples were collected prior to consumption, at 6 h and 24 h. Coffee and urine samples were analyzed for nine ECs using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry: bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzophenone, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), dibutyl phthalate, caprolactam and dimethyl terephthalate.

Results

In coffee samples, BPF (French press: 13.9 ng/mL, capsule: 16.1 ng/mL) and DEHP (capsule: 1.12 ng/mL) were present. In 6 h urine samples, the detection frequency for DEHP was 6.7% in capsule and 13.3% in French press coffee. BPF was detected in only one urine sample post-consumption.

Conclusion

Consuming capsule coffee did not increase urinary EC exposure compared to consuming French press coffee.