The influence of processing and clarifier agents on the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in pekmez (a grape molasses-like syrup).

The changes in some potentially toxic elements (PTEs) including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) during pekmez (grape molasses-like syrup) processing and the utilization of various types of clarifiers (white soil, bentonite, and gelatin) in two levels (1.5 and 3% w/w) were analyzed. The average concentrations of Pb, Cd, As, Fe, Zn, and Cu in grape samples were measured as 0.055 ± 0.005, 0.030 ± 0.002, 0.044 ± 0.002, 2.882 ± 0.013, 2.372 ± 0.088, and 1.194 ± 0.01 µg g-1. During pekmez production, the range of changes in Pb, Cd, As, Fe, Zn, and Cu was -43.38% to 40.25%, -55.49% to 0.23%, -76.15% to 1.80%, -74.15% to 58.47%, -40.55% to -18.12%, and -83.16% to -21.39%, respectively. The effect of the clarification process on the PTEs depended on the type and concentration of both PTE and clarifier agent used while the incorporation of gelatin resulted in a significant reduction in all of PT. Graphical abstract.

The effect of working in an auto factory on functional constipation and bowel habits.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the factors associated with functional constipation (FC) and to determine a normal range of bowel movement (BM) in an Iranian Auto factory's workers. BACKGROUND: The digestive system may be affected by workplace conditions. Some occupational conditions can affect the bowel habit and FC. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 3590 workers who worked in Tehran suburb in 2017 were evaluated. The workers worked in morning or rotatory shifts and in the official and non-official sections. In addition to demographic and stool frequency questions, workers were asked to complete the Rome IV Questionnaire. RESULTS: The normal range of BM frequency was determined between one and three per day. The BM frequency had a significant association with age (P=0.002), marital status (P=0.024), education (P=0.011), exposure to chemical materials (P<0.001), and work section (P<0.001). The total prevalence of FC was 9.7% which was greater among rotatory shift working than among only morning shift workers (10% vs 6%; P=0.02). Independent factors associated with FC were found as age (for 30- 40 years old: OR=1.88; 95% CI (1.20, 3.03) and for ≥41 years old: OR=1.91; 95% CI (1.12,3.17)), smoking (OR=1.52; 95% CI (1.20,1.93)) and work section (for Paint section: OR=0.33; 95% CI (0.12,0.87), for montage section: OR=0.44; 95% CI (0.18,1.10), for press & platform section: OR=0.12; 95% CI (0.05,0.37)). CONCLUSION: Occupational condition may make a difference in bowel habit. Rotatory shift, official working, and smoking may increase the risk of constipation.

Risk assessment of benzene in food samples of Iran's market.

The concentration of benzene in ninety-eight collected food and drink samples (carbonated beverage, fruit juice, pickle, lime juice, mayonnaise and salad dressing, 16 samples from each) from Iran local markets were investigated using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Moreover, the correlation of benzene concentration with sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid concentrations was assessed. Benzene concentration in carbonated beverages, fruit juices, pickle, lime juices, mayonnaise and salad dressing were 3.57 ±â€¯1.70, 5.17 ±â€¯3.63, 4.37 ±â€¯2.24, 4.99 ±â€¯0.54, 1.38 ±â€¯0.87 and 1.47 ±â€¯0.83 µg/L, respectively, being in all cases below the acceptable limit (10 µg/L) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a reference for drinking water. Benzene concentration exceeded the maximum tolerable limit in 12.5% of carbonated beverages and fruit juices (two samples from each). A significant correlation coefficient between the concentrations of benzene, sodium benzoate, and ascorbic acid in fruit juices, and levels of benzene, sodium benzoate in carbonated beverage samples was observed. To characterize the risk of exposure of urban and rural consumers of Iran (female in age group of 15-24 and male in age group of 25-64) to benzene in food and drink samples the Margin of Exposure (MoE) approach was applied revealing there is no severe concern regarding benzene intake through assessed food and beverages samples in Iran.

Dietary exposure to toxic and essential trace elements by consumption of wild and farmed carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) in Iran.

This study was conducted to determine and compare the concentrations of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and selenium (Se) in the muscle of wild and farmed carp (Cyprinus carpio) and wild and farmed Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) collected from south-western Caspian Sea areas of Iran between December 2014 and March 2015. In addition, risk assessment of consumers to exposure to metals through fish consumption was estimated. In all the samples, the arsenic concentration was lower than the detection limit. The Pb, Cd, Hg and Mn concentrations were significantly higher in the wild fish samples compared to the farmed fish samples. There was no significant difference in the Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni and Se concentrations of the wild and farmed carp and the wild and farmed Caspian kutum. Iron displayed the highest concentration of all the analysed metals in both the wild and farmed fish, followed by Zn and Cu. The highest Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co and Se concentrations were 0.056, 0.011, 0.065, 0.120, 4.151, 3.792, 2.948, 2.690, 0.037 and 0.162 µg g-1, respectively. The estimated daily intake of all metals was acceptable, and the hazard quotient values showed that consumption of the analysed fish posed no health risk to consumers.