Radiochemical neutron activation analysis for trace elements of basic ingredients of pan

Extensive use of pan, by one-tenth of world"s population, entails the evaluation of trace element contents in its ingredients. Radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) was developed and successfully employed to determine the concentration of 36 trace elements (essential, toxic and nonessential) in its four basic ingredients, leaf of betel pepper, betel nut, catechu and lime. The radiochemical separation methodology has significantly improved the detection limits of most of these elements due to suppression of Compton background. This study provides the base-line values of certain toxic and essential elements in these ingredients. The daily intake of essential and toxic elements through pan was estimated and compared with the recommended values. The cumulative intake of Mn is four times higher than the recommended value and that of toxic elements is well below the tolerance limits.     

A provenance study of coffee by photon activation analysis

Photon activation analysis (PAA) is a multi-elemental radioanalytical technique in trace elements analysis with high accuracy and precision. Researchers at the Idaho accelerator center performed PAA analysis on coffee samples from several locations around the world as an initial step in assessing the relationship between trace elements in illicit drugs and the soils in which they were grown. The preliminary results show coffees from different locations have different concentrations of trace elements. In the three cases where we have soil samples, the matrices of elements in the coffee samples are closely related to the matrices of the elements of the local soil samples. The majority of trace elemental content is similar to that of the local soil sample in which the coffee is planted. It may be that coffee assimilates numerous elements from the soil where it is grown in similar ratios as is found in the soil. Thus, it is conceivable that the elemental content could serve as “fingerprint” to trace the origins of the coffee. To verify our analytical results we applied X-ray fluorescence (XRF) methods as well. Our PAA results are consistent with XRF experimental data. The future of tracing the origin of illicit drugs with the PAA technique is promising.     

Elemental analysis of traditional medicinal seeds by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Traditional medicinal seeds prescribed for specific treatment purposes, were purchased from local markets and analyzed by INAA. The samples were irradiated at Es-Salam research reactor, at a power of 5 MW for 6 h. The accuracy of the method was established by analyzing reference materials. Twenty elements were measured, with good accuracy and reproducibility. The concentration of elements determined, was found to vary depending on the seeds. The daily intake of essential and toxic elements was determined, and compared with the recommended values. The probable cumulative intake of toxic elements is well below the tolerance limits.     

Determination of Essential and Toxic Elements in Vegetables from South Korea

This study reports the determination of trace essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Se, and Zn) and toxic (Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) elements in greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers from supermarkets of Seoul, Busan, Gangneung, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju, South Korea using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and direct mercury analysis. The methods were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and recovery measurements that provided satisfactory results in all cases. Among the essential trace elements, Zn was found to have the highest concentrations (0.84–2.5?mg/kg) followed by Cu (0.21–0.62?mg/kg) and Cr (0.01–0.06?mg/kg). The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the toxic elements were in the order Al?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd?>?Hg for tomatoes and cucumbers and Al?>?Pb?>?Cd?>?As?>?Hg for peppers; all were below the permissible limits set by World Health Organization for human consumption. The estimated dietary intake, target hazard quotients (THQs), and hazard indices of the samples were within safe levels. The combined THQ values for the toxic elements in the vegetables were from 0.002 to 0.012 with significant contribution from arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, and mercury. The results of this study show that trace and toxic elements in the analyzed vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for the population upon consumption.     

Trace Element Evaluation of Different Varieties of Chewing Gum by Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis

Extensive use of chewing gums, by children in particular, entails the evaluation of trace element contents in them. Radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) was successfully employed to determine the concentration of 35 trace elements (essential, toxic and nonessential) in eight different brands of chewing gum generally consumed in Rawalpindi/Islamabad area. Comparison of trace element data of our work with literature has been presented. None of the elements detected in the brands of chewing gum examined was found to be present at a level representing a substantial contribution to the total dietary intake of the element.     

Concentration of ochratoxin A in coffee products and probabilistic health risk assessment

Coffee is a beverage that people enjoy a lot in their daily lives and is an integral part of people's social life. In this study, the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in coffee was carried out by High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence (HPLC-FLD) detectors. Furthermore, the amount of ochratoxin A (OTA), Margin of exposure (MOEs), and Hazard quotient (HQ) in different types of coffees; instant, classic, and roasted coffee were calculated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method. The average OTA concentration was in the rage of 3.6 to 26.6 µg/kg. The content of classic and instant coffee found to have.OTA, is below the maximum limit defined by the European Union legislation. The maximum limit for these two types of coffee is 10 µg/kg. The daily intakes of the OTA through classic and instant coffee were also found to be lower than the Tolerance daily intake proposed by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). MOEs (neoplastic effect) in adults was classic coffee (171026) > roasted coffee (15390) > instant coffee (8549) and also MOEs (non-neoplastic effects) in children was classic coffee (55790) > roasted coffee (5020) > instant coffee (2789). Consumers of instant coffee are at cancer risk based on neoplastic effects and also consumers of instant coffee and roasted coffee are at cancer risk based on non-neoplastic effects (MOEs lower than 10,000 value). HQ (nephrotoxic effect) in adults was instant coffee (0.132) > roasted coffee (0.097) > classic coffee (0.012). HQ due to consumption of coffee products was lower than 1, hence consumers are at safe non-cancer risk. Therefore, it is recommended reducing the concentration of mycotoxins in coffee products.     

Multi elemental analysis of indigenous food spices in Southern Ethiopia using INAA technique

The objective of this study is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of essential and trace elements of four indigenous Ethiopian spices and herbs using instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. Results obtained for 16 elements: Major elements; Mg, Cl, and K; Minor elements; Na, Fe, and Mn, Zn, Br. While Al, V, Sm, Sc, La, Ba, Eu, Rb were found in traces. The spices, Affromumom korarima and Lippa Adonesis var. Koseret sebsebe were found to be very good sources of essential trace elements like Fe, Zn and Mn. The highest concentration of Mg was found in Ajowan whereas K and Fe were measured in Coriander seeds. The average daily dietary intake of some essential elements from the use of these spices were found to be below the recommended upper limit by WHO.

     

Dietary intake of 25 elements by man estimated by neutron activation analysis

The trace element content of the total daily diet (food and beverages) of each of 4 adult males was determined over a period of one week. A method of radiochemical neutron activation analysis is briefly described which enables the determination of up to 31 elements in biological samples. Of the 25 elements determined in the diet 12 are essential elements (Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Se, Zn) while 6 (As, Ba, Br, Cd, Hg, Sb) are classified as toxic. The average concentrations of the toxic trace elements As, Cd and Hg of the diet are below the provisional tolerable dietary intakes recommended by WHO/FAO. The contents of Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na and Zn are adequate to the proposed nutritional requirements.     

Determination of elemental concentrations in environmental plant samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The intake of leafy vegetables in daily diet is very important to meet our nutritional needs. Vegetables provide the essential elements which are necessary and recommended for human growth. However, due to rapid industrialization and urbanization our environment becomes polluted and this affects the normal growth of agricultural products and composition of environmental species. The elemental concentrations present in the environmental samples are good indicators to assess the toxicological levels due to pollution affects. In the present work we have analysed several vegetable plant samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis to determine the elemental concentrations at major, minor and trace levels. The leafy vegetables like spinach, red leafy veagetable, pui, gourd leaf, lettuce and katoua were chosen as these are extensively consumed by local peple in eastern part of India. We have determined 15 elements in the above mentioned vegetable samples and some of these are essential elements and some are toxic elements. It was found that Na and K were present as major elements, Fe and Zn as minor elements and As, Ce, Cr, Co, La, Mo, Rb, Sc, Sm, Sr as trace elements. The concentration level of Cr was found to be higher than that of recommended value certified by WHO and National environment quality control for human consumption. The validation of our analytical results have been performed by the Z-score tests through the determination of concentrations of the elements of interest in certified reference materials.     

ICP-MS Assessment of Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Foodstuffs with Different Geographic Origins Available in Romanian Supermarkets

The present study was conducted to quantify the daily intake and target hazard quotient of four essential elements, namely, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, and four toxic trace elements, mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic. Thirty food items were assigned to five food categories (seeds, leaves, powders, beans, and fruits) and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Factor analysis after principal component extraction revealed common metal patterns in all foodstuffs, and using hierarchical cluster analysis, an association map was created to illustrate their similarity. The results indicate that the internationally recommended dietary allowance was exceeded for Cu and Cr in 27 and 29 foodstuffs, respectively. According to the tolerable upper level for Ni and Cu, everyday consumption of these elements through repeated consumption of seeds (fennel, opium poppy, and cannabis) and fruits (almond) can have adverse health effects. Moreover, a robust correlation between Cu and As (p < 0.001) was established when all samples were analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated an association between Pb, As, Co, and Ni in one group and Cr, Cu, Hg, and Cd in a second group, comprising 56.85% of the total variance. For all elements investigated, the cancer risk index was within safe limits, highlighting that lifetime consumption does not increase the risk of carcinogens.     

Determination of Trace Elements in Integrated Human Diet for Dietary Assessment

Abstract

Neutron activation analysis in combination with atomic absorption spectrometry was utilized for the determination of 21 elements in integrated diet samples of the inhabitants of the Rawalpindi/Islamabad area. The study was carried out to determine prevailing concentration levels of trace elements nutrition, inadequacy, imbalances and toxicity. This data will serve as baseline values and will be helpful to monitor the degree of future contamination from foreign chemicals. The dietary intake values were also estimated and compared with the reported daily intake values. In general, the diets studied are adequate source of nutrient elements. The toxic elements intake through all the diet samples are within the safety limits.     

Characterization of ARC/CL wheat flour and potato powder reference materials for content of total dietary fiber

Summary ARC/CL wheat flour and potato powder reference materials (RMs) prepared by the Central Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, earlier specified for contents of essential and toxic trace elements, were characterized for contents of total dietary fiber (TDF). Recommended concentration values established were obtained on the basis of an interlaboratory comparison study conducted involving 10 reference laboratories recognized for their reliability in TDF determinations. The recommended TDF contents established were based on an enzymatic-gravimetric method employed by the participating laboratories to determine TDF or water insoluble (WIS) and water soluble (WS) DF which were then added up to obtain TDF. After exclusion of outliers the recommended concentration values were expressed as the medians ±95% confidence limits of the average values by the participating laboratories. The coefficient of variation obtained for the recommended concentration range of TDF was within 7% for both RMs.     

Dietary evaluation of toxic elements through integrated diet

Several potentially toxic trace elements, namely, Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Sb, Br and Se have been measured by INAA in combination with AAS techniques in the integrated diet representative of the inhabitants of Gujranwala, a highly industrialized city of Pakistan. The dietary intake values for these elements have been estimated from the prevailing concentration level in the summer and winter season diets, which reveals that present intake data are well within the reported WHO values and can be considered to be safe. Posslble sources of food contamination by the toxic elements and their adverse impacts on human heaith are briefly discussed.     

INAA and AAS of different products from sugar cane industry in Pakistan: Toxic trace elements for nutritional safety

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) have been used to determine As, Br, Hg, Sb and Se in combination with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) as a complementary technique for the quantification of Cd and Pb in jaggery, brown sugar, white sugar and molasses. All sugar cane products were collected from the local sugar cane industry of Pakistan. The highest concentration of these potentially toxic elements was quantified in molasses; however, molasses together with jaggery, brown sugar and white sugar contains trace amounts of all of these elements. Due to very low concentration of Cd it could only be detected in molasses. To evaluate the percentage contribution of these elements in the sugar cane products to the weekly recommended values, intakes on weekly consumption of 100 g of each item have also been calculated which follow the pattern Br>Se>Pb>Hg>As>Sb. The elevated Br contents may be attributed to the use of Br-containing chemicals for fumigation; however, these contents are well within the tolerance levels. The estimated weekly intake of all toxic elements is very low indicating that sugar cane products can be safely ingested as part of the diets.     

Elemental content in ground and soluble/instant coffee

The concentration of thirty-four elements in twelve coffee brands has been measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The samples investigated included four brands of commercially available ground coffee and eight brands of soluble/instant coffee. The elements measured were Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Gd, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, Tm, U, V, Yb and Zn. Twenty four elements were found to be below the detection limit in one or more samples. These elements were Ce, Cr, Fe, V, As, Eu, Ba, Dy, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, Yb, Tm, and U.     

Determination of Metals in Fruits of Cucurbitaceae Species from South Korea,to Characterize Potential Effects on Human Health

Recent research studies have confirmed that the dietary intake of vegetables and fruits has a positive and profound impact on human health, performance, and disease. This research was designed to determine the concentrations of essential trace elements; cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), toxic metals; cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb); and a metalloid; arsenic (As) in fruits of seven species of Cucurbitaceae family including gourd, zucchini, pumpkin, sweet pumpkin, melon, watermelon, and oriental melon commonly consumed in South Korea. The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Se, and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Hg by a mercury analyzer. To analyze the samples after microwave digestion for the validation of analytical techniques, satisfactory values of all quality parameters of linearity, detection limits, precision, accuracy, and recovery experiments were obtained in all cases. On the whole, all analyzed elements were found in accordance to the published literature around the world and well within the critical recommended standards by CODEX and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korea. The estimated daily intake values, and hazard quotients and indices of the analyzed samples were all below the World Health Organization, Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives, and European Food Safety Authority limits.     

Analysis of acrylamide in coffee and dietary exposure to acrylamide from coffee

An analytical method for analysing acrylamide in coffee was validated. The analysis of prepared coffee includes a comprehensive clean-up using multimode solid-phase extraction (SPE) by automatic SPE equipment and detection by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray in the positive mode. The recoveries of acrylamide in ready-to-drink coffee spiked with 5 and 10 μg l⁻¹ were 96±14% and 100±8%, respectively. Within laboratory reproducibility for the same spiking levels were 14% and 9%, respectively. Coffee samples (n = 25) prepared twice by coffee machines and twice by a French Press Cafetière coffee maker contained 8±3 μg l⁻¹ and 9±3 μg l⁻¹ acrylamide. Five ready-to-drink instant coffee prepared twice contained 8±2 μg l⁻¹. Hence, the results do not show significant differences in the acrylamide contents in ready-to-drink coffee prepared by coffee machine, French Press or from instant coffee. Medium roasted coffee contained more acrylamide (10 μg l⁻¹) than dark roasted coffee (5 μg l⁻¹). Males aged 35–45 years, drinking on average 1.1 l coffee per day are exposed to the highest doses of acrylamide from coffee. The dietary intake of acrylamide from coffee comprises, on an average, 10 μg day⁻¹ for males and 9 μg day⁻¹ for females aged 35–45 years. Probabilistic modelling of the exposure of Danish consumers (all adults) to acrylamide from coffee shows a mean exposure of 6.5 μg day⁻¹ and a 95 percentile of 18 μg day⁻¹.     

Trace elements, 210Po and 210Pb in a selection of berries on commercial sale in Italy

The occurrence of ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po, trace elements was assessed in a selection of berries on commercial sale in Italy. Data confirmed that berries might serve as an important source of essential elements. The ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po concentrations found were higher than the reference values reported by UNSCEAR for roots and fruits in the world. There is no risk whatsoever from the intake of toxic elements as Al, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Hg in berriberries analyzed; it is necessary, however, continuously monitored the levels of these elements to protect consumers against potential adverse health effects especially when consumed in large quantities.

     

Influence of Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment on the Changes in Residues of Important Elements in Drinking Water

Drinking water is the essential medium for food production, and is also needed for direct consumption; while it must be free of harmful substances, it also must have a composition that is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of water and wastewater treatment on reducing the concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the Western Pomerania Voivodeship in Poland. The research was carried out in 2017–2019. The analysis was performed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The concentrations of trace elements in drinking water were below maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs). Reductions in the most dangerous elements during water treatment fluctuated from 48.5% (As) to 97% (Pb). Wastewater treatment reduced the concentrations of analyzed elements by a range of 28.6 to 60.8%, and the most toxic elements (Pb and As) by over 50%. Trace element concentrations in treated wastewater were below MAC values, and ranged from 1.15% (Pb) to 6.23% (As) of MACs for toxic elements. The concentrations of both essential elements (Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu) and toxic elements (Pb, As) in drinking water were below the MACs. Water treatment had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on decreasing trace element concentrations.     

Determination and assessment of the contents of essential and potentially toxic elements in Ayurvedic medicine formulations by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

Traditional Ayurvedic remedies are easily available nowadays not only in India, their country of origin, but also in Western countries. Some of these products contain high concentrations of potentially toxic elements as main or secondary ingredients, in addition to elements essential for human health; for these reasons, it is interesting to determine their elemental composition. In this study we assessed the concentrations of fifteen elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Si and Zn) in five products of the Parpati family, a group of Ayurvedic medicines containing high concentrations of mercury, manufactured in various places in India. Concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or (for Pb and Cd) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) after sample mineralization. We compared the calculated daily intake of each element with reference values, considering maximum tolerable intake levels or recommended nutrient amounts. The experimental results were treated with chemometric pattern recognition techniques. We found differences in the composition of products of the same denomination manufactured by different companies and strong correlations among groups of variables. As expected, the daily intake of mercury upon consumption of Parpati medicines largely exceeded the tolerable intake level of this element.