Elemental characterization of Brazilian canned tuna fish using particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE)

Assessment of Trace Elements Supply in Canned Tuna Fish Commercialized for Human Consumption in Brazil

This study evaluates the elemental content in 4 types of canned tuna fish groups, each with 4 brands that are commercialized for human consumption in Brazil. The results are based on trace elements in canned tuna fish quantified by ICP OES and a comparison to limit levels set by the FAO/WHO. We also checked the carcinogenic risk (CR), non-carcinogenic risk (Hazard Index (HI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ)), and pollution index (PI) for the studied canned tuna samples. As and Se concentrations in all groups are above the intake values set by FAO/WHO considering specific groups. The carcinogenic risk values for arsenic (As) in groups are considerably unacceptable (≥10^-4). Hazard quotients (HQ) were >1 for As in all groups, while no sample was below 1 for HI. The pollution index (PI) results show that the main canned tuna fish contaminant is aluminum, then selenium and arsenic, respectively. Only half of the samples did not present elemental contaminant levels. All studied brands of canned tuna presented elemental concentrations that could pose a health risk to human consumption, that could be from CR, HQ, HI, or PI. The contaminant levels are alarming and should raise a red flag for the intake of these products, especially a long-term one. These results urge the authorities to supervise and enforce better practices for this type of food, protecting their population from health hazards.

Zinc, aluminium, tin and Bis-phenol a in canned tuna fish commercialized in Lebanon and its human health risk assessment

One of the drawbacks of canning is the migration of various chemicals from the package into the food product. This work aimed at analyzing the concentrations of Bisphenol A (in 137 samples) and heavy metals (in 51 samples) of canned tuna commercialized in Lebanon while evaluating the variability across different brands, packing media, layer, and proximity to the expiry date. Accordingly, BPA was detected in 12 samples out of the 137 samples, run in duplicates. The estimated daily intake of BPA for the selected samples (n = 274) was lower than the tolerable daily intake of BPA, 0.004 mg/kg/day. Therefore, there is no health risk associated with BPA as a result of consuming canned tuna commercialized in the Lebanese market. Besides, the study has shown that 66 samples out of 102 were contaminated with Zn whereas 100% of the samples were contaminated with Aluminum and Tin. However, the calculated Health Risk Index of all the considered heavy metals are all within the safe limits as defined by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and Codex Alimentarius.

The influence of the winemaking process on the elemental composition of the Marselan red wine

BACKGROUND

The elemental profile of the Marselan wine cycle was studied with a single ion-beam technique, namely particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Samples were collected from all of the major stages involved in the wine cycle, including soil, vine plant, grape, and different stages of wine processing.

RESULTS

The results show the influence of field practices on the elemental composition of leaves, branches, grapes, and soil. Mechanisms of element precipitation and elimination from the wine were identified through the changes in the elemental concentrations measured during the post-harvesting processes. The concentrations of some elements, such as Al, Si, K, and Ni, did not vary for grapes collected at different maturation stages. On the other hand, changes in the concentrations of Si, Cl, Ca, Cu, and K were observed right after the maceration and pressing processes in young wine. Finally, the reduction in the Cu concentration during the last stages of the wine cycle is related to its precipitation in the storage tanks.

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that field practices and winemaking processes played distinct roles in the elemental composition of grapes and wine from different preparation stages. Moreover, PIXE proved to be a suitable analytical tool for the analysis of the whole wine cycle because it handles solid and liquid samples in a clean and straightforward manner. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Elemental analysis of Brazilian coffee with ion beam techniques: From ground coffee to the final beverage

Brazilian coffee is well known worldwide due to its quality and richness in taste. The aim of the present study is to provide the elemental characterization of Brazilian coffee along different stages of the drip brewing process. To that end, samples from roasted ground coffee, spent coffee, paper filters and the final beverage were analyzed with one single ion beam technique, namely particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). In total, over 140 samples from 8 different Brazilian brands of ground coffee were analyzed. Large differences in some elemental concentrations were observed among different brands and among different batches of a single brand, which leads to high variances in the data. Concerning the beverage preparation, the analysis of the spent coffee shows that the transfer ratio from the ground coffee to the beverage differs for each element. Our results indicate that potassium and chlorine have the highest transfer ratio. Moreover, the concentration of rubidium is relatively high in drinking coffee. Finally, there is no influence of the elemental composition of paper filter in the preparation of drinking coffee.

DNA damage induced by coal dust, fly and bottom ash from coal combustion evaluated using the micronucleus test and comet assay in vitro

Coal mining and combustion generating huge amounts of bottom and fly ash are major causes of environmental pollution and health hazards due to the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals. The Candiota coalfield in Rio Grande do Sul, is one of the largest open-cast coal mines in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxic and mutagenic effects of coal, bottom ash and fly ash samples from Candiota with the comet assay (alkaline and modified version) and micronucleus test using the lung fibroblast cell line (V79). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of PAH and inorganic elements was carried out by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) techniques respectively. The samples demonstrated genotoxic and mutagenic effects. The comet assay modified using DNA-glicosilase formamidopirimidina (FPG) endonuclease showed damage related to oxidative stress mechanisms. The amount of PAHs was higher in fly ash followed by pulverized coal. The amount of inorganic elements was highest in fly ash, followed by bottom ash. It is concluded that the samples induce DNA damage by mechanisms that include oxidative stress, due to their complex composition, and that protective measures have to be taken regarding occupational and environmental hazards.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in three commercially available fish species from the Bonny and Cross River estuaries in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The concentrations and compositional patterns of the USEPA 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were investigated in three commercially available fish species, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Cynoglossus senegalensis and Polydactylus quadratifilis, from the Bonny and Cross River systems in the eastern Niger Delta of Nigeria. The objective of the study was to provide useful information on the levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the associated risks with their consumption. The 16 PAHs in the fish samples were extracted by ultrasonication with hexane/dichloromethane, and the concentrations of PAHs in the extracts were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The measured concentrations of the Ʃ16 PAHs in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Polydactylus quadratifilis and Cynoglossus senegalensis ranged from 106 to 491, from 43.1 to 1734 and from 96.4 to 937 μg kg(-1) in the Bonny River system and from 20.0 to 975, from 24.7 to 506 and from 24.9 to 387 μg kg(-1) in the Cross River system, respectively. The compositional patterns of the PAHs showed that the three- and four-ringed PAHs were the major contributors to the PAH burden in these fish species. The diagnostic ratios indicate that the PAHs in these fish samples originated mainly from combustion processes. The health risk assessment, as determined from the benzo[a]pyrene potency equivalent factor, margin of exposure and incremental lifetime cancer risk, indicates that PAHs in the majority of these fish species can induce potential carcinogenic effects.

Chemical and toxicological effects of medicinal Baccharis trimera extract from coal burning area

The entire process of power generation, extraction, processing and use of coal strongly impact water resources, soil, air quality and biota leads to changes in the fauna and flora. Pollutants generated by coal burning have been contaminating plants that grow in area impacted by airborne pollution with high metal contents. Baccharis trimera is popularly consumed as tea, and is widely developed in Candiota (Brazil), one of the most important coal burning regions of the Brazil. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical profile, in vivo genotoxic and mutagenic potential of extracts of B. trimera collected from an exposed region to pollutants generated by coal burning (Candiota City) and other unexposed region (Bagé City), using the Comet assay and micronucleus test in mice and the Salmonella/microsome short-term assay. The HPLC analyses indicated higher levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids for B. trimera aqueous extract from Bagé and absence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for both extracts. The presence of toxic elements such as cobalt, nickel and manganese was statistically superior in the extract from Candiota. For the Comet assay and micronucleus test, the mice were treated with Candiota and Bagé B. trimera aqueous extracts (500-2000 mg/kg). Significant genotoxicity was observed at higher doses treated with B. trimera aqueous extract from Candiota in liver and peripheral blood cells. Micronuclei were not observed but the results of the Salmonella/microsome short-term assay showed a significant increase in TA98 revertants for B. trimera aqueous extract from Candiota. The extract of B. trimera from Candiota bioacumulated higher levels of trace elements which were associated with the genotoxic effects detected in liver and peripheral blood cells.

Metal concentrations in selected brands of canned fish in Nigeria: estimation of dietary intakes and target hazard quotients

The concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were determined in selected brands of canned mackerel, sardine, and tuna in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the dietary intakes of metals and lifelong health hazards associated with the consumption of these products. The concentrations of metals were determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The mean concentrations of metals in canned mackerel, sardine, and tuna were found as 0.04-0.58, 0.06-0.44, 0.32-0.83 μg/g for Cd; 0.05-2.82, 0.70-2.98, 0.23-2.56 μg/g for Pb, 1.33-11.33, <0.20-17.53, nd-34.2 μg/g for Ni, 0.49-3.79, 0.22-1.89, 0.66-14.39 μg/g for Cr, 0.33-0.92, 0.03-1.51, <0.08-1.31 μg/g for Cu, 0.11-2.17, nd-0.75, 0.14-0.50 μg/g for Co, 6.45-26.90, 6.06-53.54, 3.06-95.78 μg/g for Fe, 2.30-3.84, 0.95-21.78, 1.65-2.33 μg/g for Mn, 1.15-7.19, 3.60-17.88, 1.21-5.35 μg/g for Zn, respectively. The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Fe in some of these brands of canned fish were above their permissible limits while other metals occurred at levels below their permissible limits. The estimated daily intakes of metals from consumption of 20.8 g fish per day by a 60 kg body weight adult were below the provisional tolerable daily intakes for Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cu and recommended daily intakes for Co, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The estimated target hazard quotients of the examined metals were less than 1 in the majority of the samples indicating no long-term health hazard at the present circumstance.

Concentrations and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in some popular fish species in Nigeria

The concentrations and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 10 popular fish species in the Nigerian market were determined with a view to providing information on the health hazards associated with the consumption of these fish species. The concentrations of PAHs were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after extraction by ultrasonication with acetone-dichloromethane and clean up. The concentration ranges of the Σ16 PAHs were 20 to 39.6 μg kg(-1) for Parachanna obscura (African snake head), 6.8 to 532.3 μg kg(-1) for Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), 7.4 to 91.1 μg kg(-1) for Gymnarchus niloticus (Asa), 13.1 to 34.1 μg kg(-1) for Sebastes fasciatus (red fish), 11.2 to 80.0 μg kg(-1) for Gadus morhua (cod), 23.9 to 34.6 μg kg(-1) for Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus (silver cat fish), 63.4 to 131.4 μg kg(-1) for Sardinella aurita (sardine), 22 to 52.9 μg kg(-1) for Trachurus trachurus (Atlantic horse mackerel), 21.0 to 63.7 μg kg(-1) for Scomber scombrus (mackerel), and 27.7 to 44.5 μg kg(-1) for Pseudotolithus senegalensis (croaker). Benzo[a]pyrene occurred in 23% of these fish samples at concentrations above the European Union permissible limit of 2.0 μg kg(-1). The calculated margins of exposure based on the indicators for occurrence and effects of PAHs were greater than 10,000 indicating no potential risk for the consumers of the species evaluated in this study.

Geographical traceability of virgin olive oils from south-western Spain by their multi-elemental composition

The geographical traceability of virgin olive oil can be controlled by chemical species that are linked to the production area. Trace elements are among these species. The hypothesis is that the transfer of elements from the soil to the oil is subjected to minor variations and therefore this chemical information can be used for geographical traceability. In order to confirm this hypothesis, the trace elements of virgin olive oils from south-western Spain were analysed, and the same elements were determined in the corresponding olive-pomaces and soils. The differences in the concentration were studied according to cultivars and locations. Results show some coincidences in the selection of elements in soils (W, Fe, Na), olive-pomace (W, Fe, Na, Mg, Mn, Ca, Ba, Li) and olive oils (W, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Ba, Li, Bi), which supports their utility in traceability. In the case of olive oils, 93% of the samples were correctly classified in their geographical origins (96% for Beas, 77% for Gibraleón, 91% for Niebla, and 100% for Sanlúcar de Guadiana).