Concentration and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements, Lead and Cadmium, in Vegetables and Cereals Consumed in Western Iran

Fluoride in Raw Rice (Oryza sativa): a Global Systematic Review and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the essential staple foods highly consumed globally, with nearly 40% to 45% of the global population estimated to consume rice. Therefore, consumable rice should have low levels of harmful elements. This study investigates fluoride (F¯) content in raw rice (uncooked rice) and evaluates Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment (PHRA) through Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) due to the consumption of F¯ enriched rice. The literature review reveals that limited studies have been conducted on the investigation of F¯ in raw rice. The fluoride (F¯) concentration in raw rice varies across the studied countries, indicating the need for additional studies to facilitate a more accurate comparison. The F¯ content in raw rice varied among the studied countries, making it difficult to definitively state that the concentration of F¯ in one country is higher. However, the concentration of F¯ in raw rice in India is notably elevated. This study also highlighted the importance of investigating the F¯ content in raw rice. The study will be highly helpful for policymakers to formulate guidelines for water used for irrigation.

Co-contamination and interactions of multiple mycotoxins and heavy metals in rice, maize, soybeans, and wheat flour marketed in Shanghai City

Mycotoxins and heavy metals extensively contaminate grains and grain products, posing severe health risks. This work implements validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods to quantify the concentration of 12 mycotoxins and five heavy metals in rice, maize, soybeans, and wheat flour samples marketed in Shanghai. The mixed contamination characteristics were analyzed using correlation cluster analysis and co-contamination index, and the probabilities of all cross combinations of contaminations were analyzed using a self-designed JAVA language program. The results showed that grains and grain products were frequently contaminated with both mycotoxins and heavy metals, mostly with deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON), ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxins, fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), fumonisin B3 (FB3), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). All the samples (100 %) were contaminated with two or more contaminants, and 77.3 % of the samples were co-contaminated with more than four contaminants. In cereals and cereal products, the following combinations were closely associated: (FB3 +3-ADON), (FB1 +As), (FB1 +FB2), (DON+FB1), (DON+Cd), (As+Cd), (DON+Cd+As), (FB1 +FB2 +As), and (DON+3-ADON+15-ADON). The results indicated that mycotoxins and heavy metals frequently co-occurred in Shanghai grains and grain products, and they provided primary data for safety assessments, early warnings, and regulatory measures on these contaminants to protect public health.

Elemental composition of toxic and essential elements in rice-based baby foods from the United States and other countries: A probabilistic risk analysis

Consumption of rice-based foods provides essential nutrients required for infants and toddlers' growth. However, they could contain toxic and excess essential elements that may affect human health. The study aims to determine the composition of rice-based baby foods in the USA and outside and conduct a multiple-life stages probabilistic exposure and risk assessment of toxic and essential elements in children. Elemental concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in thirty-three rice-based baby foods. This includes 2 infant formulas, 11 rice baby cereals, and 20 rice snacks produced primarily in the United States, China, and other countries. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted to assess risks of adverse health effects. Results showed that infant formula had higher median concentrations of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) compared to rice baby cereal and rice snacks. On the contrary, rice snacks had the highest median concentration of Arsenic (As) (127 μg/kg) while rice baby cereals showed the highest median concentration of Cd (7 μg/kg). A higher lifetime estimated daily intake was observed for samples manufactured in the USA compared to those from China and other countries. Hazard quotient (HQ < 1) values were suggestive of minimal adverse health effects. However, lifetime carcinogenic risk analysis based on total As indicated an unacceptable cancer risk (>1E-04). These findings show a need for ongoing monitoring of rice-based foods consumed by infants and toddlers as supplementary and substitutes for breast milk or weaning food options. This can be useful in risk reduction and mitigation of early life exposure to improve health outcomes.

Content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in coffee and coffee-based products: a meta-analysis study, Systematic review, and health risk assessment

Coffee is the most popular beverage after water in the world, which has an important role in health as a result of various minerals and vitamins but it may be pollution source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) that can threate the health. Thus, the current study intended to detect the level of PTEs such as Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Znc (Zn) and Iron (Fe), in various coffee and coffee-based products (powder, ground, processed, infusion and bean). Considering the databases of Scopus, Google scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science, the concentration of PTEs in coffee and coffee-based products was retrieved and meta-analyzed. Additionally, the non-carcinogenic risks in terms of total hazard quotient (TTHQ) were assessed using Monte Carlo simulated (MCS) model. According to the findings of 23 articles, the ranking of metal concentration in different coffees was Fe > Zn > Cu> Ni > Pb > Cd in powder, Fe > Cu > Zn> Ni in ground, Fe > Zn > Ni> Cu> Pb > Cd in processed and infusion and Fe > Zn > Ni> Cs > Pb in bean. Moreover, based on WHO regions, the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb (0.742 mg/kg) were related to the South-East Asia Region (SEARO) and European region (EURO) respectively. However, the highest concentrations of Fe (81.161 mg/kg), Zn (33.392 mg/kg), Cu (9.408 mg/kg), and Ni (18.064 mg/kg) were related to Pan American health organization (PAHO), PAHO, PAHO and Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), respectively. On the other hand, the risk pattern was different in different countries. Moreover, consumers in some countries were not at significant non-carcinogenic risks because of ingestion of PTEs via coffee and consumption of coffee-based products.

Distribution of nitrate/nitrite and toxic metals in the soil-potato system and its health risk assessment in Iran

Potato is one of the essential food products whose health quality is greatly influenced by soil contamination and properties. In the current study, we have investigated the physicochemical characteristics of agricultural areas and the accumulation of nitrite/nitrate and metals in potato products in Hamedan, Iran. After determining the physicochemical characteristics of soil samples from four agricultural regions of Hamedan, 48 potato samples were collected from these regions. The heavy metals and nitrate/nitrite content were determined by ICP-OES and calorimetric methods, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between soil pH changes with nitrite/nitrate content and the accumulation of some heavy elements in potatoes. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between soil phosphorus content and lead accumulation in potato. In present study, the amounts of lead, nitrate, and nitrite in 83.3%, 56%, and 12% of the collected samples were higher than the permissible limit reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. The EDI range for nitrate and nitrite was determined to be 130-260 and 1.4-2.7 µg/kg/day, respectively, which is much lower than the RfD set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for nitrite and nitrate. Among metal pollutants, the toxic risk caused by lead in potato consumers was higher than the threshold limit. In conclusion, our findings showed that the physicochemical characteristics of the soil could effectively increase the availability of metal pollutants and nitrite/nitrate to the potato product and significantly reduce its health quality. Therefore, monitoring these pollutants in the soil-potato system, preventing the entry of industrial wastewater, and managing the use of agricultural fertilizers can effectively improve the health of this product for consumers.

Evaluation of Health Risks Attributed to Toxic Trace Elements and Selenium in Farmed Mediterranean Mussels from Türkiye and Bulgaria

Farmed mussels accumulate contaminants from their production environment rather than releasing them into water. This study reveals potential health risks associated with selenium, cadmium, mercury, and lead resulting from the consumption of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) cultured along the coasts of Türkiye and Bulgaria. The concentrations of Se and toxic trace metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The detection limits (LOD) were 0.100, 0.015, 0.025, and 0.180 µg/kg for Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively. The mean Se concentrations were between 1.305 and 1.957 µg/g, and toxic metals were below the maximum limits. Due to Turkish and Bulgarian consumers' limited mollusk consumption, mussels could only provide a maximum of 7.35% of the daily Se need. THQ and TTHQ of Se, Cd, and methyl-Hg were below 1, indicating that farmed mussels were safe for consumption. Percent PTWI values were calculated only for Cd and MeHg, as the PTWI value for Pb was discarded by the authorities and not determined for Se. Accordingly, weekly mussel consumption did not pose any risks. The margin of exposure approach was used to evaluate Pb intake. MOE-SBP and MOE-NE were significantly higher than 10, designating no significant health risks. Long-term consumption of mussels also does not pose a carcinogenic risk regarding the TR index calculated between 10-5 and 10-6 for Pb. Positive HBVSe (10.13-37.27) indicated that Se in mussels overcame Hg-related potential health concerns. Consequently, mussels grown in Türkiye and Bulgaria did not pose a risk for human consumption, based on current risk analysis methods.

Amino acid application inhibits root-to-shoot cadmium translocation in Chinese cabbage by modulating pectin methyl-esterification

The exogenous application of amino acids (AAs) generally alleviates cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants by altering their subcellular distribution. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying AA-mediated cell wall (CW) sequestration of Cd in Chinese cabbage remain unclear. Using two genotypes of Chinses cabbage, Jingcui 60 (Cd-tolerant) and 16-7 (Cd-sensitive), we characterized the root structure, subcellular distribution of Cd, CW component, and related gene expression under the Cd stress. Cysteine (Cys) supplementation led to a reduction in the Cd concentration in the shoots of Jingcui 60 and 16-7 by 65.09 % and 64.03 %, respectively. Addition of Cys alleviated leaf chlorosis in both cultivars by increasing Cd chelation in the root CW and reducing its distribution in the cytoplasm and organelles. We further demonstrated that Cys supplementation mediated the downregulation of PMEI1 expression and improving the activity of pectin methyl-esterase (PME) by 17.98 % and 25.52 % in both cultivars, respectively, compared to the Cd treatment, resulting in an approximate 12.00 %-14.70 % increase in Cd retention in pectin. In contrast, threonine (Thr) application did not significantly alter Cd distribution in the shoots of either cultivar. Taken together, our results suggest that Cys application reduces Cd root-to-shoot translocation by increasing Cd sequestration in the root CW through the downregulation of pectin methyl-esterification.

Concentration of Heavy Metals in Traditional and Industrial Fruit Juices from Iran: Probabilistic Risk Assessment Study

Exposure to heavy metals can endanger the health of exposed people in the long term. The consumption of fruit juice is increasing; it is important to estimate the health risk of consumers due to heavy metals. The current study was carried out for the analysis of toxic metals (lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd)) and essential elements (copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)) in 60 samples of traditional and industrial fruit juices (10 samples of different brands of apple, orange, grape, peach, mango, and pineapple) in Hamadan, West Iran, using inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method. The validation protocol included precision of the analytical method; recovery, the determination of the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), and linearity were measured. Moreover, risk assessment was detected using target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR) by the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) model. The ranking of metal concentration in traditional and industrial fruit juices was Zn > Cu > As > Pb > Cd. In all samples, concentrations of heavy metals in industrial fruit juices were higher than traditional fruit juices p <  < 0.001. The level of metals in all samples was lower of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Iran Standard (IS) permissible limit set for drinking water. In terms of non-carcinogenic, values of toxic elements for children and adult in traditional and industrial fruit juices were 1.6E-3 and 1.72E-3 and 2.6E-3 and 1.85E-3, respectively. The 95th percentile of CR in adults and children due to both industrial and traditional fruits juices was higher than 1E-6; hence, reducing the concentration of As in fruit juices should be conducted. Consumption of fruit juice can increase carcinogenic risk of consumers. Therefore, it is recommended to consume it with caution.

Assessment of Trace Metal Contaminants and Consumer Preference in Tomato Varieties Produced in Two Mining Communities of Nigeria

Tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicum L) produced in areas prominent for mining activities contribute more deposits of metal contaminants. In turn, affects the quality and value of the products. Highlighting the level of metal contaminant in consumer's most preferred tomato variety is also necessary for health and well-being. This study specifically aimed to investigate, i) the variability between six metal contaminants in UTC, Yowlings, and Derica tomatoes; ii) we also explored the relationship between the metal contaminants and tomato quality, and lastly, we ascertained which socioeconomic factor specifically determined preference for a particular variety of the tomatoes. The metal contaminants examined and found present using ICP-OES were nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). We found a good agreement between most of the analyte and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Certified Reference Material 1573a (CRM 1573a) values. Although this study's recovery for the analyte was between 83.22% and 111.00%, we also found contrary to our prediction that Cr, Ni, and Cd concentrations were higher in Derica, UTC, and the Yowlings varieties during the rainy season. A two-way ANOVA between tomatoes and planting seasons was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) in contrast to the mixed model (GLMMs) analysis that indicated a significant (P < 0.05) relationship between lycopene concentration, size of tomatoes, and concentration of metals screened. We also found using a principle component analysis (PCA) and correlation matrix that the concentration of Pb in the tomato varieties was significantly related to the As level. Despite As and Cr concentrations being higher in the Derica tomato variety, most consumers preferred it. Derica tomato contained metal contaminants that could be harmful to human health. Therefore, there is need to monitor the production procedures involved prior to supply of the tomato product.

The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Iranian rice: a dietary health risk assessment study

In the present study, six potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni), were determined in 41 domestic rice samples collected from Tehran using ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry). The mean concentration of Cd, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Ni was found as 0.014 ± 0.01, 0.018 ± 0.005, 2.15 ± 1.84, 0.42 ± 0.31, 0.1 ± 0.16, and 0.48 ± 0.36 mg kg-1, respectively. Possible risks due to ingestion of PTEs via rice consumption for children and adults were assessed by Monte Carlo simulation. The 50th percentile of estimated Cr intake for children through domestic rice consumption exceeded the maximum tolerable daily intake. There was only a potential non-carcinogenic risk for single Cr exposure for children. The 95th percentile of the estimated hazard index (HI) for children and adults was 4.34 and 1.05, indicating a potential non-carcinogenic risk related to multiple PTE exposure. The lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values derived from Cr, Ni, As, and Cd exposure exceeded the threshold value, indicating a carcinogenic risk due to PTEs' exposure. The deterministic assessment demonstrates that the Tehran population may be at risk through domestic rice consumption. This study indicates that risk related to the exposure to multiple PTEs through the consumption of rice in adults and children in Tehran is recognized as an important issue, thus supporting the importance of cumulative analysis of the risk of exposure to PTEs through food. Finally, national strategic environmental assessment and technological solutions for monitoring and protecting freshwater, soil, waste management, and chemicals as a global concern policy are needed for public health.

The Level of Heavy Metal in Fresh and Processed Fruits: A Study Meta-analysis, Systematic Review, and Health Risk Assessment

Intake of fruits is important for health. However, it can be a contamination source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The present study aimed to investigate the concentration of PTEs such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and Iron (Fe) in various fresh and processed fruits. All the studies related to the concentration of PTEs in fresh and processed fruits by international databases including were included and non-carcinogenic risks assessment was evaluated based on the total hazard quotient (TTHQ). According to findings highest concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were observed in pineapple, mango, and cherry, while the lowest concentrations of these metals were found in berries, pineapple, and berries. Regarding trace elements, peach and cucumber represented the highest and lowest concentrations of Fe, respectively. Moreover, the highest and lowest concentrations of Cu were related to plum and banana, respectively. Considering the type of continents, the highest concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, and Cu among fresh and processed fruits belonged to Pan American Health Organization (EMRO), EMRO, African Region (AFRO), European Region (EURO), AFRO, and Western Pacific Region (SEARO). Eventually, the non-carcinogenic risk assessment of the heavy metal in fresh and processed fruits indicated that the risk pattern was different in various countries and the calculated TTHQ level in infants was below 1. Overall, the consumption of fresh and processed fruits is safe and does not pose a risk to the health of consumers.

Sample Preparation and Analytical Techniques in the Determination of Trace Elements in Food: A Review

Every human being needs around 20 essential elements to maintain proper physiological processes. However, trace elements are classified as beneficial, essential, or toxic for living organisms. Some trace elements are considered essential elements for the human body in adequate quantities (dietary reference intakes, DRIs), while others have undetermined biological functions and are considered undesirable substances or contaminants. Pollution with trace elements is becoming a great concern since they can affect biological functions or accumulate in organs, causing adverse effects and illnesses such as cancer. These pollutants are being discarded in our soils, waters, and the food supply chain due to several anthropogenic factors. This review mainly aims to provide a clear overview of the commonly used methods and techniques in the trace element analysis of food from sample preparations, namely, ashing techniques, separation/extraction methods, and analytical techniques. Ashing is the first step in trace element analysis. Dry ashing or wet digestion using strong acids at high pressure in closed vessels are used to eliminate the organic matter. Separation and pre-concentration of elements is usually needed before proceeding with the analytical techniques to eliminate the interferences and ameliorate the detection limits.

Content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in various animal meats: a meta-analysis study, systematic review, and health risk assessment

Meat comprises the main part of the diet in many countries around the world. The present study aimed to assess potentially toxic elements (PTEs) lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in various meats (camel, chicken, cow, pork, birds, seafood (fish and crab), and sheep). The present study was performed on the concentration of PTEs in various meats by different databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science along with a meta-analysis. Additionally, the non-carcinogenic risk was assessed by calculating the total hazard quotient (TTHQ). According to findings, the highest concentration of Cd was related to sea (0.460 mg/kg). The highest concentrations of Cd and As were reported in camel meat (1.965 and 1.503 mg/kg, respectively). Regarding trace elements, the highest concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Ni were observed in seafood (fish and crab), cow meat, and bird's meat (71.159 mg/kg, 36.608 mg/kg, 8.680 mg/kg, and 1.592 mg/kg, respectively). Moreover, considering the type of continents based on the concentration of PTEs in various meats, the highest concentrations of As (0.792 mg/kg), Cd (0.315 mg/kg), Pb (1.049 mg/kg), Fe (44.088 mg/kg), and Ni (1.113 mg/kg) were related to Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO), African Region (AFRO), EMRO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and EMRO, respectively. However, the highest concentrations of Cu (4.846 mg/kg) and Zn (60.742 mg/kg) were related to European Region (EURO) and AFRO, respectively. On the other hand, the result of the risk assessment indicated that the risk pattern was different among countries.

Heavy Metals in Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods Consumed by Humans Worldwide: A Scoping Review

Heavy metals (HM) can be accumulated along the food chain; their presence in food is a global concern for human health because some of them are toxic even at low concentrations. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods are good sources of different nutrients, so their safety and quality composition should be guaranteed in the most natural form that is obtained for human consumption. The objective of this scoping review (ScR) is to summarize the existing evidence about the presence of HM content (arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and aluminum (Al)) in unprocessed or minimally processed foods for human consumption worldwide during the period of 2011–2020. As a second objective, we identified reported HM values in food with respect to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Food Standards for Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants in food. This ScR was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR); advance searches were performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect and FAO AGRIS (Agricultural Science and Technology Information) databases by two reviewers who independently performed literature searches with specific eligibility criteria. We classified individual foods in food groups and subgroups according to the Global Individual Information Food Consumption Data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT). We homologated all the reported HM units to parts per million (ppm) to determine the weighted mean HM concentration per country and food group/subgroup of the articles included. Then, we compared HM concentration findings with FAO/WHO MLs. Finally, we used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to present our findings. Using our search strategy, we included 152 articles. Asia was the continent with the highest number of publications (n = 79, 51.3%), with China being the country with the largest number of studies (n = 34). Fish and shellfish (n = 58), followed by vegetables (n = 39) and cereals (n = 38), were the food groups studied the most. Fish (n = 42), rice (n = 33), and leafy (n = 28) and fruiting vegetables (n = 29) were the most studied food subgroups. With respect to the HM of interest, Cd was the most analyzed, followed by Pb, As, Hg and Al. Finally, we found that many of the HM concentrations reported exceeded the FAO/OMS MLs established for Cd, Pb and As globally in all food groups, mainly in vegetables, followed by the roots and tubers, and cereals food groups. Our study highlights the presence of HM in the most natural forms of food around the world, in concentrations that, in fact, exceed the MLs, which affects food safety and could represent a human health risk. In countries with regulations on these topics, a monitoring system is recommended to evaluate and monitor compliance with national standards. For countries without a regulation system, it is recommended to adopt international guidelines, such as those of FAO, and implement a monitoring system that supervises national compliance. In both cases, the information must be disseminated to the population to create social awareness. This is especially important to protect the population from the consumption of internal production and for the international markets of the globalized world.

Quantification of heavy metals and health risk assessment in Sichuan pickle

Sichuan pickle is one of popular traditional fermented foods in China. However, the contamination of heavy metals in Sichuan pickle, particularly home-made Sichuan pickle and aged pickle brine, is little known. Therefore, the content of trace (Cr, Cu, and Zn) and toxic elements (As, Pb, and Cd) in Sichuan industrial pickle (SIP), Sichuan home-made pickle (SHP), and aged pickle brine collected from local markets and families in Sichuan province, respectively, was detected by inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) and the health risk was assessed by target hazard quotients including target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ). Consequently, the mean concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Cd were 0.122, 0.540, 2.516, 0.023, 0.015, and 0.106 mg/kg in SIP and 0.071, 0.364, 2.698, 0.014, 0.015, and 0.289 mg/kg in SHP, respectively, lower than the maximum allowable concentrations set by Chinese regulations, except for Cr and Cd in few samples. Principal component analysis of the heavy metal content could obviously distinguish between SIP and SHP. The content of As, Pb, and Cd in leaf pickles was significantly higher than that in pickles fermented with other types of vegetables. A significant enrichment of heavy metals in aged pickle brine over 10 years was observed, but pickle jars had no significant effect on heavy metal content in aged pickle brine. The intake of heavy metals through daily consumption of SIP and SHP was at a safe level, whereas the TTHQ of leaf pickle was 1.006, indicating a potential health risk. In conclusion, this study provided fundamental data for food safety assurance of Sichuan pickle. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Sichuan pickle is one of popular traditional fermented foods in China. In the present study, we investigated the contamination of heavy metals in Sichuan pickles by detecting the content of Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in Sichuan industrial pickle, Sichuan home-made pickle, and aged pickle brine, and estimated the health risk to local residents. This study can provide a reference for the safety risk of Sichuan industrial and home-made pickle in terms of heavy metal contamination, and enhance the food safety in the processing, production, and consumption of Sichuan pickle in local families and pickle industry.

Multidimensional Scaling of the Mineral Nutrient Status and Health Risk Assessment of Commonly Consumed Fruity Vegetables Marketed in Kyrgyzstan

Intensive production of fruits and vegetables causes heavy metal accumulation. Consumption of this kind of foodstuff is a growing concern of the modern world with the additional distress of the supply of enough foodstuffs. To contribute to this global purpose, this research aimed to find out the mineral nutrient and heavy metal concentrations of commonly consumed fruity vegetables in Kyrgyzstan. Totally, ten different fruity type vegetables were collected from five different large bazaars of Kyrgyzstan. From these, 20 samples, including washed/unwashed rinds of vegetables, were quantified in terms of their B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentrations of the fruity vegetables were found in the following range: B (1.392-25.816), Ca (92.814-4095.466), Cd (0.007-0.086), Cr (0.009-0.919), Cu (0.351-8.351), Fe (4.429-126.873), K (920.124-10,135.995), Mg (61.973-879.085), Mn (1.113-78.938), Na (36.132-266.475), Ni (0.039-1.215), Pb (0.081-2.906), and Zn (1.653-87.107) (mg kg^-1). It was determined that red capia pepper was the vegetable having the highest daily nutritional value according to evaluation done in our study. Taking into account of the HI values, all of the vegetables analyzed were determined to be lower than the limit value of 1 that falls into acceptable limits in terms of being safe. Peppers demonstrated the highest variation in terms of the elemental content. The high Cr content rendered hot pepper risky for consumption by both genders regarding with CR, and in terms of CR, it has been observed that nickel contents being found in vegetables including tomatoes pose a moderate risk for consumption. Quite lower risk was detected in red/Brandy-wine tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumber for both genders. As most striking result in our study, the Brandy-wine type tomato was found to be healthiest (as well as safest) and nutritious vegetable looking from the viewpoint of consumption in Kyrgyzstan.

Concentration of Potentially Toxic Elements in Vegetable Oils and Health Risk Assessment: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The present study evaluates the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including Pb, Cd, As, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Ni, in vegetable oils through a meta-analytic approach. The published studies in relation to the concentrations of PTEs in vegetable oils were retrieved from major international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase followed by meta-analysis. Moreover, the health risk assessment was evaluated using total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) by a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) model. According to the results of 51 articles included among 958 retrieved studies, the concentrations of the PTEs were as follows: Cd ≈As (0.110 mg/kg) > Pb (0.086 mg/kg) in cottonseed, canola, and olive oil and Fe (12.964 mg/kg) > Zn (1.044 mg/kg) > Ni (0.893 mg/kg) > Cu (0.264 mg/kg) in cottonseed, olive, and soybean for trace elementals, respectively. Based on the continent type, the higher concentration of Cd, As, and Pb was related to PAHO (American region) and AFRO (African region), and the higher concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Ni were observed in WPRO (Western Pacific Region), EMRO (Eastern Mediterranean Region), and AFRO. On the other hand, non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of the PTEs indicated that there was a different risk pattern in various countries, and the TTHQ level in adult groups was lower than 1. It can be concluded that the consumption of vegetable oils is safe and does not pose risk to the health of consumers.