Levels of BPA in makdous, a traditional Syrian food, using solid-phase extraction followed by HPLC

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupter, can migrate from packaging material into food stuff. This research was designed to measure BPA levels in makdous, a traditional Syrian food. Forty three samples of makdous stored in different plastic containers (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and unspecified plastic containers) were analyzed every 3 months for one year beginning July 2017. Quantification of BPA was carried out by an RP-HPLC system equipped with fluorescence detector after solid phase extraction. Migration was found in PE and PP plastic containers with slight differences. Statistically significant differences in BPA levels were observed between samples assayed after two weeks of preparation and samples assayed after 12 months (mean 16.32 vs. 38.26 µg/kg, p value=0.003). According to these amounts, BPA levels were all under the specific migration limit of 0.05 mg/kg as newly referred in Regulation (EU) No 2018/213. These levels of exposure would only contribute to 2.15% and 2.75% of the EFSA t-TDI in both men and women respectively based on mean dietary exposure estimates derived from a 24-h dietary information study from 875 participants. Hence there are no concerns about potential health risks from makdous consumption

Contaminantes ambientais e os interferentes endócrinos / Environmental contaminants and endocrine disruptors

A toxicidade de diversos poluentes ambientais em seres humanos e demais espécies tem sido habitualmente investigada quanto aos seus efeitos teratogênicos e cancerígenos. Nas últimas décadas, muitos contaminantes têm demonstrado efeitos adversos sobre o sistema endócrino. Atualmente, cerca de onze milhões de substâncias químicas são conhecidas em todo mundo, sendo três mil delas produzidas em larga escala. Numerosos compostos químicos de uso doméstico, industrial e agrícola possuem comprovada atividade hormonal. Entre os produtos químicos com atividade estrogênica, destacam-se hormônios presentes em cosméticos, anabolizantes utilizados em rações animais, fitoestrógenos e poluentes orgânicos persistentes (POPs). Esses agentes que estão presentes nos efluentes industriais, residenciais e das estações de tratamento de água e esgoto representam uma importante fonte de contaminação ambiental. O Programa Internacional de Segurança Química (International Programme on Chemical Safety - IPCS) define como interferente endócrino substâncias ou misturas presentes no ambiente capazes de interferir nas funções do sistema endócrino, causando efeitos adversos em um organismo intacto ou na sua prole. No presente artigo, os autores apresentam uma revisão da literatura atual sobre o papel desses elementos nas doenças endócrinas e metabólicas, os prováveis mecanismos de ação envolvidos, discutindo-se perspectivas futuras em termos de investigação e estratégias para prevenção e redução dos seus possíveis danos.

The toxicity of various pollutants has been routinely investigated according to their teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. In the last few decades, however, many of such pollutants have been shown to adversely affect the endocrine system of human beings and other species. Currently, more than eleven million chemical substances are known in the world, and approximately 3,000 are produced on a large scale. Numerous chemical composites of domestic, industrial and agricultural use have been shown to influence hormonal activity. Examples of such chemical products with estrogenic activity are substances used in cosmetics, anabolizing substances for animal feeding, phytoestrogens and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These agents are seen in residential, industrial and urban sewerage system effluents and represent an important source of environmental contamination. The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) defines as endocrine disruptors substances or mixtures seen in the environment capable of interfering with endocrine system functions resulting in adverse effects in an intact organism or its offspring. In this article the authors present a current literature review about the role of these pollutants in endocrine and metabolic diseases, probable mechanisms of action, and suggest paths of investigation and possible strategies for prevention and reduction of its possible damages.