ABSTRACT
Herbs and herbal products are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to test herbal plants for contamination with aflatoxins (AF), genotoxic, cancerogenic and hepatotoxic compounds which can cause immunotoxic and allergic effects as well as growth disorders. Aflatoxins were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post column derivatization involving bromination with pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PBPB). Extracts was cleaned-up by immunoaffinity columns (IAC). The contents of aflatoxins B, B, G, and G, in more than 500 herbal plants samples mainly from Eastern Poland were investigated. Samples were supplied by manufacturers (herbal facilities) in 2006-2010 years. In all the evaluated samples the levels of aflatoxins above the detection limits of methods applied were not observed: for AF B1--0.2 microg/kg; AF B2--0.03 microg/kg; AF G1--0.3 microg/kg; AF G2--0.03 microg/kg (PN-EN 14123) and for AF B1--0.15 microg/kg (Ph. Eur.6, 2008:2.8.18). All the herbal plants tested for contamination with aflatoxins should be considered safe, which indicates that manufacturers used good manufacturing practices during drying and storage of raw materials.
Subject(s)
Aflatoxins/analysis , Food Safety/methods , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Chromatography, Affinity , Chromatography, High Pressure LiquidABSTRACT
National monitoring plans, concerning mycotoxins levels in foodstuffs of plant origin in Poland are showed. The official control program for contaminates in food, including mycotoxins, is created by Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, on the basis of the draft prepared in National Institute of Hygiene and approved by Chief Sanitary Inspector. Results of monitoring programme for domestic market: aflatoxins in selected foodstuffs, mycotoxins in baby food and Fusarium toxin in baby food and maize-based foodstuffs, in years 2004-2006 were presented.
Subject(s)
Aflatoxins/analysis , Food Analysis/methods , Food Contamination/analysis , Infant Food/analysis , Mycotoxins/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Food Handling/methods , Food Microbiology , Government Regulation , Humans , Infant , Maximum Allowable Concentration , Poland , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
In framework of the national monitoring program in Poland HPLC method for determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereal products was developed, validated and accredited. Simply, one-step extraction and HPLC MS/MS ESI+ method was used for determination both toxins. Performance of method (recovery, precision and uncertainty of results) is in line with Commission Regulation No 401/2006. Limit of detection for T-2 and HT-2 toxins is 3 ad 4 microg/kg, respectively. Samples were taken by sanitary inspection from all region of country. 107 samples cereal products (mainly from oats) were tested. T-2 and HT-2 toxins were detected in 43% samples, mean level in oats products was 22.5 microg/kg (maximum level 109 microg/kg in oat flakes), in other samples (wheat and barley flakes, grouts, flours) - 7.0 microg/kg. Intake of T-2/HT-2 toxin by the consumer in Poland is much lower than the TDI.
Subject(s)
Edible Grain/chemistry , Food Contamination/analysis , Food Microbiology , T-2 Toxin/analogs & derivatives , T-2 Toxin/analysis , Chromatography, Affinity/methods , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Humans , Poland , Quality ControlABSTRACT
In the following review, European Union legislation concerning maximum level of patulin in foodstuffs was reported. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1425/2003 of 11 August 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001, Commission Directive 2003/78/EC of 11 August 2003 laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of patulin in foodstuffs and Commission Recommendation of 11 August 2003 on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages as regards patulin was reported.
