Comparative study of transgenic and non-transgenic maize (Zea mays) flours commercialized in Brazil, focussing on proteomic analyses.

Genetically modified foods are a major concern around the world due to the lack of information concerning their safety and health effects. This work evaluates differences, at the proteomic level, between two types of crop samples: transgenic (MON810 event with the Cry1Ab gene, which confers resistance to insects) and non-transgenic maize flour commercialized in Brazil. The 2-D DIGE technique revealed 99 differentially expressed spots, which were collected in 2-D PAGE gels and identified via mass spectrometry (nESI-QTOF MS/MS). The abundance of protein differences between the transgenic and non-transgenic samples could arise from genetic modification or as a result of an environmental influence pertaining to the commercial sample. The major functional category of proteins identified was related to disease/defense and, although differences were observed between samples, no toxins or allergenic proteins were found.

Avaliação da concentração de arsênio, cádmio e chumbo em amostras de atum enlatadas, comercializadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ / Determination of arsenic, cadmium and lead in samples of canned tuna commercialized in Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Atualmente, a população brasileira tem sido muito incentivada a consumir peixes ou outros frutos do mar, por serem alimentos que trazem benefícios importantes para a saúde humana, principalmente à dos adultos. Entretanto, em contrapartida aos benefícios, estes alimentos estão mais sujeitos a contaminação por substâncias químicas que são, altamente, prejudiciais à saúde. Dentre essas substâncias incluem-se o arsênio, que tem sua atividade carcinogênica já comprovada, o cádmio e o chumbo, que afetam o sistema nervoso central. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo determinar as concentrações de As, Cd e Pb, em amostras de atum enlatado e, simultaneamente, avaliar as variações que ocorrem, nestas concentrações, em função dos diferentes tipos de produtos disponíveis no mercado nacional.(...)

Avaliação da concentração de arsênio, cádmio e chumbo em amostras de atum enlatadas, comercializadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ / Determination of arsenic, cadmium and lead in samples of canned tuna commercialized in Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Atualmente, a população brasileira tem sido muito incentivada a consumir peixes ou outros frutos do mar, por serem alimentos que trazem benefícios importantes para a saúde humana, principalmente à dos adultos. Entretanto, em contrapartida aos benefícios, estes alimentos estão mais sujeitos a contaminação por substâncias químicas que são, altamente, prejudiciais à saúde. Dentre essas substâncias incluem-se o arsênio, que tem sua atividade carcinogênica já comprovada, o cádmio e o chumbo, que afetam o sistema nervoso central. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo determinar as concentrações de As, Cd e Pb, em amostras de atum enlatado e, simultaneamente, avaliar as variações que ocorrem, nestas concentrações, em função dos diferentes tipos de produtos disponíveis no mercado nacional.(...)(AU)

There are little data and advisories for arsenic, cadmium and lead in wild fish, but far fewer for commercial fish that compose the large majority of the fish most people eat. Until recently, relatively little attention has been devoted to examining As, Cd, Pb in canned tuna, despite its great importance in Brazilian diets, as it is considered to bring many benefits for the health. However, this kind of food is highly subjected to contamination by extremely toxic elements. The main inorganic elements that may contaminate this food are arsenic, cadmium and lead, which have been considered as some of the most toxicants elements as well as harmful to people' s health. The objective of this work is to study concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb in canned tuna and to study parameters conditions that can alter these concentrations. Graphite fumace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) was the technique chosen by the inorganic contamination laboratory of Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS/ FIOCRUZ) for detection and quantification of arsenic, cadmium and lead in canned tuna. The obtained results for arsenic is 0,1 - 1,0 mg Kg -I, and the concentration for cadmium and lead is low of the limit of detection, with the exception of tree sample which obtained results for lead between 0,1 e 0,2 mg Kg -I. The result for repeatability and reproducibility (precision} for As, Cd and Pb is less than 15%, and recuperation ranging from 85 to 104%. Ali samples presented results lower than the maximum limit values established by the legal Brazilian regulations. (AU)