Evaluation and Dietary Exposure Assessment of Selected Toxic Trace Elements in Durum Wheat (Triticum durum) Imported into the Italian Market: Six Years of Official Controls.

Durum wheat grains, which are mostly used for the production of pasta and several baked goods, represent a main source of vegetable proteins and calories. Concurrently, many contaminants, including toxic trace elements, may accumulate in them, posing a potential severe hazard to human health. In this context, for official control and food safety purposes, 346 samples of whole durum wheat imported into the Italian market from six countries (Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, and the United States) during the period 2015-2020 were analysed for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All the analysed samples were compliant with Food Agriculture Organization-World Health Organization and European Union regulations. The mean values were 0.0322 and 0.0162 mg kg-1, respectively, for Cd and Pb, while all samples showed levels below the limit of detection (0.004 mg kg-1) for Hg. The results were construed in terms of seasonality, year, and country of production, and compared with reference tolerance values. Confirming previous exposure studies, the obtained data and the dietary intake assessment showed that durum wheat-based products may have a significant impact on exposure to Pb and Cd (20-50%) in the overall population, particularly in more sensitive and/or exposed subgroups (infants, toddlers, and females).

Sulfites in meat: Occurrence, activity, toxicity, regulation, and detection. A comprehensive review.

Sulfites are a class of chemical compounds, SO2 releasers, widely used as additives in food industry, due to their antimicrobial, color stabilizing, antibrowning, and antioxidant properties. As the results of these pleiotropic functions they can be added to a broad range of products including dried fruits and vegetables, seafood, juices, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage, and in few meat products. Sulfites ingestion has been correlated with several adverse and toxic reactions, such as hypersensitivity, allergic diseases, vitamin deficiency, and may lead to dysbiotic events of gut and oral microbiota. In many countries, these additives are closely regulated and in meat products the legislation restricts their usage. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the sulfites contents in meat and meat products, and many of them have revealed that some meat preparations represent one of the main sources of SO2 exposure, especially in adults and young people. This review discusses properties, technological functions, regulation, and health implications of sulfites in meat-based foods, and lays a special emphasis on the chemical mechanisms involved in their interactions with organic and inorganic meat components.

The analytical determination of polyphosphates in food: A point-to-point comparison between direct ion chromatography and indirect photometry.

Being an indirect approach, the standard method for the determination of polyphosphates (PPs) in food maybe characterized by high variability which can lead to significant errors in the final measurement. In this study, this method was validated and then compared to the ion chromatography-based approach. Method trueness and measurement uncertainty resulted comparable, while the precision of ion chromatography approach was higher. No "false positive" responses were obtained from ion chromatography analysis, while indirect photometry may cause "false positive" results (5% of analyzed samples). Regarding "false negative" results, this possibility maybe verified for all food types tested and for seafood when using indirect photometry and ion chromatography, respectively. The percentages of "false negative" samples were equal to 23.3% for indirect photometry and 10% for ion chromatography. In conclusion, the indirect photometry is a reliable method especially as "screening technique", while ion chromatography maybe used as a confirmatory technique, successfully.

Innovative approaches for identifying a mechanically separated meat: evaluation of radiostrontium levels and development of a new tool of investigation.

Due to food safety concerns, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asked to identify useful parameters for identifying the mechanically separated meat (MSM). In this work, the 90Sr levels of MSM products were assessed for evaluating the suitability of this parameter for MSM identification. Indeed, this contaminant may accumulate in animal bones and bone fragments may be present in MSM. One hundred samples of fresh meats and meat products composed of different MSM percentages and without MSM were analyzed by ultra-low-level liquid scintillation counting. The 90Sr activity concentrations detected in meat products with high percentage of MSM were significantly higher (p ≥ 0.05) (0.099 Bq kg-1) than those of fresh meats (0.024 Bq kg-1) and meat products containing low percentage of MSM (0.011 Bq kg-1). The percentage of correct MSM identification was 61%. In order to increase this percentage and to develop a new tool of investigation, the 90Sr was elaborated in combination with other three parameters: 88Sr, Ca and ash percentage, through a multivariate approach. The precision of this tool of investigation was significantly increased (87%), higher than the reference method (Ca level) (76%), representing a valid novel approach in the identification of MSM products.

Chromatographic determination of 12 dyes in meat products by HPLC-UV-DIODE array detection.

The use of food dyes in meat is regulated by the current European and non-European legislation, due to several food safety concerns. A reliable method for the quali-quantitative determination of 12 food dyes (Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Carmine, Ponceau SX, Ponceau 3R, Allura Red AC, Carmoisine, Erythrosine, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV) in meat products, by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to UV diode array detection is presented. The extraction was accomplished by using acetonitrile, methanol, water, and ammonia, 50:40:9:1 (v/v/v/v) as the solvent and ultrasonic bath. The chromatographic separation was obtained with a C18 RP column eluted by a gradient of acetate buffer/acetonitrile. Good analytical performances characterized this method (Table 1), in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and ruggedness. Both method precision (CV% range: 6%-15%) and recovery percentages (range: 86%-105%) resulted in compliance with Decision 2002/657/EC, and the expanded measurement uncertainties, estimated by a bottom-up approach, were in the range 6%-20%. All these results demonstrated that the procedure can be applied successfully for confirmation analyses of commercial meat products. •12 food dyes were determined in meat by new HPLC/UV-DAD method.•The analytical method was fully validated for accurate confirmation analyses.•Method accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity and ruggedness resulted satisfactory.

Simultaneous determination of twelve dyes in meat products: Development and validation of an analytical method based on HPLC-UV-diode array detection.

The use of food dyes in meat is subject to regulations, due to food safety concerns. A reliable method for the determination of 12 food dyes (Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Carmine, Ponceau SX, Ponceau 3R, Allura Red AC, Carmoisine, Erythrosine, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV) in meat products using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to UV-diode array detection was developed, optimized and fully validated. The extraction was accomplished using acetonitrile, methanol, water, ammonia, 50:40:9:1 (v/v/v/v) as the solvent, and an ultrasonic bath. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 RP column and samples eluted with a gradient acetate-acetonitrile mobile phase. Good analytical performance was obtained, in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and ruggedness. Both method precision (CV% range: 6.2%-18.0%) and recovery (range: 86.4%-105.0%) complied with Decision 657/2002/EC, suggesting the procedure could be applied successfully for analyses of meat products in the European Union.

Radiostrontium accumulation in animal bones: development of a radiochemical method by ultra low-level liquid scintillation counting for its quantification.

Strontium-90 (90Sr) is a fission product, resulting from the use of uranium and plutonium in nuclear reactors and weapons. Consequently, it may be found in the environment as a consequence of nuclear fallouts, nuclear weapon testing, and not correct waste management. When present in the environment, strontium-90 may be taken into animal body by drinking water, eating food, or breathing air. The primary health effects are bone tumors and tumors of the blood-cell forming organs, due to beta particles emitted by both 90Sr and yttrium-90 (90Y). Moreover, another health concern is represented by inhibition of calcification and bone deformities in animals. Actually, radiometric methods for the determination of 90Sr in animal bones are lacking. This article describers a radiochemical method for the determination of 90Sr in animal bones, by ultra low-level liquid scintillation counting. The method precision and trueness have been demonstrated through validation tests (CV% = 12.4%; mean recovery = 98.4%). Detection limit and decision threshold corresponding to 8 and 3 mBecquerel (Bq) kg-1, respectively, represent another strong point of this analytical procedure. This new radiochemical method permits the selective extraction of 90Sr, without interferences, and it is suitable for radiocontamination surveillance programs, and it is also an improvement with respect to food safety controls.

Radiostrontium levels in foodstuffs: 4-Years control activity by Italian reference centre, as a contribution to risk assessment.

(90)Sr is considered an important contaminant relating to food supply chains. In this study, 176 liquid and 260 solid foods, were analysed in order to quantify (90)Sr. Through ruggedness tests, the application field of radiochemical methods used was extended successfully to all most important types of foodstuffs. Regarding liquid matrices, milk samples resulted the most important indicator about (90)Sr contamination, with mean (90)Sr activity concentration equal to 0.058BqL(-1). Among other liquid foods, wine/spirits and livestock watering resulted the most contaminated, with mean contamination levels equal to 0.022 and 0.035BqL(-1), respectively. Concerning solid matrices, cheeses produced from sheep's milk and animal feeds resulted the most contaminated (mean levels: 1.237 and 1.557Bqkg(-1), respectively). Meat products and seafood showed contamination levels not significant within this survey; while, among vegetables, cacao/chocolate and spices resulted in contamination levels comparable with those of cheese obtained from milk of cows origin.

Distinctive Pattern of Serum Elements During the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

Element profiling is an interesting approach for understanding neurodegenerative processes, considering that compelling evidences show that element toxicity might play a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aim of this study was to profile 22 serum elements in subjects with or at risk of AD. Thirtyfour patients with probable AD, 20 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 24 with subjective memory complaint (SMC) and 40 healthy subjects (HS) were included in the study. Manganese, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, thallium, antimony, mercury, vanadium and molybdenum changed significantly among the 4 groups. Several essential elements, such as manganese, selenium, zinc and iron tended to increase in SMC and then progressively to decrease in MCI and AD. Toxic elements show a variable behavior, since some elements tended to increase, while others tended to decrease in AD. A multivariate model, built using a panel of six essential elements (manganese, iron, copper, zinc, selenium and calcium) and their ratios, discriminated AD patients from HS with over 90% accuracy. These findings suggest that essential and toxic elements contribute to generate a distinctive signature during the progression of AD, and their monitoring in elderly might help to detect preclinical stages of AD.

Beta Emitter Radionuclides (90Sr) Contamination in Animal Feed: Validation and Application of a Radiochemical Method by Ultra Low Level Liquid Scintillation Counting.

90Sr is considered as a dangerous contaminant of agri-food supply chains due to its chemical affinity with Calcium, which makes its absorption in bones easy. 90Sr accumulation in raw materials and then in final products is particularly significant in relationship to its ability to transfer into animal source products. The radionuclides transfer (137Cs and 90Sr) from environment to forages and then to products of animal origin (milk, cow and pork meats) was studied and evaluated in different studies, which were carried out in contaminated areas, from Chernobyl disaster until today. In the present work, the development and validation of a radiochemical method for the detection of 90Sr in different types of animal feed, and the application of this technique for routinely control activities, are presented. Liquid scintillation counting was the employed analytical technique, since it is able to determine very low activity concentrations of 90Sr (<0.01 Bq Kg-1). All samples analysed showed a 90Sr contamination much higher than method detection limit (0.008 Bq kg-1). In particular, the highest mean activity concentration was registered in hay samples (2.93 Bq kg-1), followed by silage samples (2.07 Bq kg-1) and animal feeds (0.77 Bq kg-1). In fact, all samples were characterized by 90Sr activity concentrations much lower than reference limits. This notwithstanding, the necessity to monitor these levels was confirmed, especially considering that 90Sr is a possible carcinogen for human.

Assessment of lead, cadmium and mercury in seafood marketed in Puglia and Basilicata (Italy) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Lead, cadmium and mercury are non-essential heavy metals that may interfere with biological systems, exhibiting high toxicity to human and marine biota. Due to bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the food chain, seafood may concentrate high levels of these contaminants since they are often at the top of aquatic food chain. In this study, 342 seafood samples, subdivided into four categories (bivalve molluscs, cephalopod molluscs, blue-fish and other sea fish), were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in order to assess the levels of lead, cadmium and mercury. Contamination levels higher than allowable limits were verified. In particular, two bivalve mollusc samples were non-compliant for lead and cadmium, four cephalopod mollusc samples non-compliant for cadmium and 14 samples (4 blue-fish and 10 other sea fish) non-compliant for mercury. This survey confirmed the necessity to perform routinely controls related to this type of food inspection.

Determination of radiostrontium in milk samples by ultra-low-level liquid scintillation counting: a validated approach.

Strontium-90 is a hazardous radionuclide derived from nuclear fission processes, and it decays emitting high-energy beta-particles forming yttrium-90. It may be easily absorbed in humans through several food supply chains, since it is chemically similar to some important biological elements such as potassium and calcium. In this work an analytical method for the determination of radiostrontium in milk by liquid scintillation counting was developed in order to obtain a precise quantification at low activity concentration levels. Moreover, a full validative approach was applied to confirm method reliability. Good analytical performance was obtained by developing an in-house validation model according to Regulation 882/2004/EC and Decision 657/2002/EC with a good selectivity, a decision threshold and detection limit corresponding to 0.003 and 0.006 Bq l⁻¹ (α = ß = 0.05) respectively, a repeatability value, expressed as CV%, equal to 13%, a mean recovery value equal to 102.5% and a measurement uncertainty equal to 11.5%. Strontium and yttrium chemical yields were determined by a reliable analytical method by inductively coupled mass spectrometry, assuring a suitable correction of final result. The results of the method validation, combined with a quality control assurance, performed on a reference material, demonstrated that the procedure represents a substantial improvement in the determination of 9°Sr relating to accurate confirmation analyses.

Identifying irradiated oysters by luminescence techniques (TL & PSL).

This study shows an exhaustive comparison of different methods, based on luminescence techniques, to identify X-ray irradiated oysters at five different dose levels in the range 0.1-2 kGy and suggests a simple, fast and sequential routine analysis protocol. A total number of 50 oysters from North Sea, including 10 control samples, were analysed by using two photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) methods (named A and B) and three thermoluminescence (TL) methods (named C, D and E), either on constituents or contaminating minerals from shells and intestines. Setting a lower threshold value T1 (1000 counts/60s) all of control specimens gave negative screening results while photo counts from irradiated samples were found to be higher than upper threshold T2 (4000 counts/60s), except at the lowest dose level 0.1 kGy for procedure A. All PSL calibrated analysis were successful and a sensitivity index was also determined to better classify obtained data according to the revised European Standard (EN 13751:2009). TL ratios, Glow 1 over second Glow 2, the latter after irradiating at 1 kGy and remeasuring the same minerals for each sample, showed values less than 0.1 related to untreated samples or higher than 0.1 for irradiated ones. Reported procedures were also tested over 60 days, longer than oyster shelf life confirming the applicability and feasibility of the proposed methods.