Application of an In Vitro Digestion Model for Wheat and Red Beetroot Bread to Assess the Bioaccessibility of Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin A and Zearalenone and Betalains

Nowadays, the bakery industry includes different bioactive ingredients to enrich the nutritional properties of its products, such as betalains from red beetroot (Beta vulgaris). However, cereal products are considered a major route of exposure to many mycotoxins, both individually and in combination, due to their daily consumption, if the cereals used contain these toxins. Only the fraction of the contaminant that is released from the food is bioaccessible and bioavailable to produce toxic effects. Foods with bioactive compounds vary widely in chemical structure and function, and some studies have demonstrated their protective effects against toxics. In this study the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of three legislated mycotoxins (AFB₁, OTA and ZEN), individual and combined, in two breads, one with wheat flour and the other with wheat flour enriched with 20% Beta vulgaris, were evaluated. Bioaccessibility of these three mycotoxins from wheat bread and red beet bread enriched individually at 100 ng/g was similar between the breads: 16% and 14% for AFB1, 16% and 17% for OTA and 26% and 22% for ZEN, respectively. Whereas, when mycotoxins were co-present these values varied with a decreasing tendency: 9% and 15% for AFB1, 13% and 9% for OTA, 4% and 25% for ZEN in wheat bread and in red beet bread, respectively. These values reveal that the presence of other components and the co-presence of mycotoxins can affect the final bioavailability; however, it is necessary to assess this process with in vivo studies to complete the studies.

[Awareness, Treatment and Control of Hypertension in Population Aged 16 to 90 Years Old in the Valencia Region, Spain, 2010]

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension is an important risk factor in terms of mortality attributable and the main modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of the study is to estimate the degree of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in population of Valencia Region and identify predictors that explain the lack of proper control.

METHODS

Cross-sectional population-based study in 413 men and 415 women between 16 and 90 years participants in Nutrition Survey of Valencia held in 2010. Automatic sphygmomanometer was used for taking blood pressure. Hypertension was defined according to the criteria of 2007 European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology. Data on knowledge and treatment were obtained by survey. Predictors for awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were estimated by logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypertension estimated for the study population was 38.2% (95% CI: 34.9%-41.5%). 51.4% (95% CI: 45.9%-57.0%) of the hypertensive population, knew his condition. 88.8% of them (95% CI: 83.9%-93.6%) were receiving drug therapy and of these, 45.1% (95% CI: 36.9%-53.3%) maintained blood pressure controlled.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the last survey in Valencia Region, the degree of awareness of hypertension has not improved although an increase in those treated with antihypertensive drugs is observed.

[Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors in Population Aged 16 to 90 Years Old in Valencia Region, Spain]

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension is one of the main risk factor in terms of attributable mortality and the most common modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension in population more than fifteen years of Valencia region and describe the strength of association between specific factors and the presence of hypertension.

METHODS

Cross-sectional population-based study in 413 men and 415 women between 16 and 90 years participants in Nutrition Survey of Valencia held in 2010. Data were collected through household survey and blood pressure was measured using an automated sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was defined according to criteria established in 2007 by the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology. Strength of association between hypertension and associated factors was measured by binary logistic regression for demographic explanatory variables, family history, lifestyle, anthropometric variables and others.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypertension estimated for Valencia region was 38,2% [95% CI 34,9 to 41,5]; 40,7% in men [95% CI 35,0 to 45,5] and 35,7% in women [95% CI 31,1 to 40,3]. Remained as associated variables with hypertension: age [45-64 years OR 4.3, IC 95% 2.1-8.8; 65 or more years, OR 15.5, IC 95% 7.2-33.2], body mass index [overweight OR 2.1 95% CI 1.3 to 3.2; obesity OR 5.3, 95% CI 3.3 to 8.5] and diabetes [OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.8].

CONCLUSIONS

More than a third of the study population suffers from hypertension. Its risk increases with age. Overweight and diabetes mellitus double the likelihood of developing hypertension.

Extraction and analysis of ochratoxin A in bread using pressurised liquid extraction and liquid chromatography

A pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) method for the analysis of ochratoxin A (OTA) in bread samples is given. Parameters such as solvent, temperature, pressure and time were investigated thoroughly. The optimized PLE conditions were: methanol as extraction solvent, 80 degrees C, 2000 psi and a 5-min cycle. OTA was determined by liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection and confirmed by methyl ester derivatization. Under these conditions OTA recovery is 92.3% with a RSD of 5%. Limits of detection and quantification were 0.02 and 0.06 microg/kg, respectively. The proposed method was applied to 20 bread samples, finding two positive samples with OTA levels below the maximum permitted levels by the European Union.