Essential and xenobiotic elements in cottage cheese from the Slovak market with a consumer risk assessment

The examination of various elements in the milk products is very important in the food sector in respect of food quality and safety. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in white cottage cheese or cottage cheese supplemented with various additives (white, lacto-free, chive, tzatziki, mustard + onion, chili, active protein) available on the market of Slovakia. All essential elements were within the reference range. Cottage cheese enriched with tzatziki showed higher amount of Cu, Fe, K, and Zn. Mustard + onion cheese contained high values of Ca, Co, Mg, and Ni. In white cottage cheese high amount of Cr, Mn, and P was measured. The content of xenobiotic metals was below permitted limit. The contribution to PTWI (Provisional tolerable weekly intake) suggested very low dietary exposure to heavy metals as Cd, Hg, and Pb as well as other metals (Cu, Ni, and Zn) in cottage cheese. Numerous correlations between concentrations were observed. MOE (Margin of Exposure) evaluation denoted that average consumption of cottage cheese does not pose any high cardiovascular and nephrotoxicity threat.

Content of selected metals in muscle of cyprinid fish species from the Nitra River, Slovakia

OBJECTIVES

This study presents a rate of bioaccumulation of some metal concentrations in the muscle of five common cyprinid fish species (gudgeon - Gobio gobio, Europen chub - Leuciscus cephalus, barbel - Barbus barbus, roach - Rutilus rutilus, and nase - Chondrostoma nasus).

DESIGN

Besides, correlations among selected metals as well as standard length and total weight and order of metal accumulation in the fish muscle were determined.

RESULTS

Recorded metal concentrations (mg/kg wet weight basis) ranged as follows: Fe 4.23-22.95, Mn 0.10-0.72, Zn 16.26-166.90, Cu 15.39-25.97, Ni 0.00-3.72, Pb 0.00-1.81, and Cd 0.00-0.11.

CONCLUSIONS

The Slovak permissible limit for Cu (10.0 mg/kg), Ni (0.5 mg/kg), Pb (0.2 mg/kg) and Cd (0.05 mg/kg) defined in the Codex Alimentarius for safe human consumption exceeded in 100%, 12%, 6% and 10% of analyzed samples for Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd respectively. On an average, the order of metal concentrations in the fish muscle was: Zn>Cu>Fe>Mn>Ni>Pb>Cd.

The effects of long-term cadmium exposure in turkeys: accumulation and zinc prevention

Experiments with turkeys were conducted to determine the effects of long-term ingestion of Cd (2.0 mg Cd/day/turkey) on its accumulation in the tissues and organs. The cadmium was found especially in the muscles, livers and kidneys. The highest average content of cadmium was found in the kidneys (1.09 mg/kg). The contents of Cd in the kidneys and livers were 19 times and 14 times (respectively) higher compared to the muscles. The administration of Zn (72 mg / day / turkey) along with high doses of Cd, significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the concentrations of Cd in the organs of the experimental animals. The average concentrations of cadmium in the kidneys and livers of turkeys from the CdZn group were 43 % and 48 % (respectively) lower than the average concentrations in the same organs in the turkeys from the group which received only Cd.

Concentrations of selected trace elements in organs and tissues of livestock from a polluted area

The occurrence of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) from industrial emissions were determined in the muscle and liver of cattle from agricultural farms near an industrial plant in Eastern Slovakia. In this study cows (n = 25) were slaughtered and the concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb were analyzed with a the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Levels reaching the highest permissible hygiene limits for toxic metals Cd, Pb and Ni were determined in 50 samples. The maximum levels of Cd, Pb and Ni were recorded in the liver (0.865; 2.324; 1.140 mg/kg, respectively) and muscle (0.300; 0.854; 0.700 mg/kg, respectively). It was concluded that the exposure to an industrial plant significantly increases the levels of contaminants in the muscle and organs of cattle, as the most susceptible livestock.

The effect of cadmium in combination with zinc and selenium on ovarian structure in Japanese quails

In this study the effect of cadmium, cadmium+selenium and cadmium+zinc administration on the ovarian structure in Japanese quails was studied. The morphometric analysis of the relative volume of primary follicles detected the highest value in control group with a similar value in the group with administration of cadmium with selenium. Lower relative volume is reported in group with cadmium and zinc administration and the group with simple cadmium administration (P < 0.05). The relative volume of growing follicles was very similar in all studied groups (11.33-15.35%), and the relative volume of stroma was very stable (82.59-86.45%). In the evaluation of the number of follicles undergoing atresia detected significantly higher number of atretic primary follicles as well as atretic growing follicles in the group with cadmium administration and cadmium with selenium administration in comparison with control group. In comparison of normal and atretic follicles we report the most negative effect of single cadmium administration on ovarian structure. Selenium co-administration shows protective effects but only the co-administration with zinc prevent significant cadmium ovarian alterations.