Evaluation of the volatile composition, toxicological and antioxidant potentials of the essential oils and teas of commercial Chilean boldo samples.

Chilean boldo (Peumus boldus Molina) is the boldo species most consumed around the world. Digestive and hepatobiliary disorders represent the main targets of its action. This work aims to characterize the volatile chemical composition, toxicological, and antioxidant potentials of the essential oils and teas of commercial samples of Chilean boldo packed on sachets [Group 1 (G1): five samples] or in plastic bags [Group 2 (G2): five samples]. Fifty-three compounds have been identified in the essential oils of commercial samples of Chilean boldo from Brazil, while only twelve compounds have been found in the volatile fraction of their infusions. Terpineol, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene are the major compounds of essential oils. Terpineol is also the major compound of the volatile fraction of teas, followed by limonene dioxide. The presence in all samples of the chemical markers p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, ascaridole, and boldine suggests that they are genuine. The teas offer a better antioxidant capacity than essential oils, thereby indicating that antioxidant activity is concentrated in the non-volatile fraction of these herbs. All LD50 values estimated for the essential oils are below 200 ppm, thus indicating that the oils are highly cytotoxic. G1 and G2 appear to be very similar with respect to all the parameters analyzed. This similarity may indicate a single source for these products.

Pesticide residues evaluation in brazilian basic diet: rice and bean

Rice and bean constitute the basic diet in underdeveloped countries.In Brazil, the acquisition per capita of these aliments is around182.9 g/day (beans) and 160.3 g/day (rice). In the present work wereevaluated the pesticide residue contamination on these aliments,and possible risks for the consumer health. Pesticide residues wereevaluated in 364 bean samples and 143 rice samples commercializedin Sao Paulo City (BRAZIL). A multi-residue method (DFG S19) wasemployed with gas and liquid chromatography identifi cation andquantifi cation. Dietary intake estimation was processed using the Acute Dietary Ingestion (ADI) based on national data regarding foodconsumption. Residues of pesticides that, according to the Brazilianlegislation, are not allowed for this culture were detected respectivelyin 4.5% and 3.6% of the bean and rice samples. However, none ofthe samples had pesticide residues above the Maximum ResidueLevel (MRL). The European Union (EU) database showed that 7.3%of the bean sample and 85.7% of rice presented pesticide residuesabove the MRL. The toxicological parameter used for assessing therisk of contamination (ADI <100%) was not exceeded in none of thecommodities. The results do not pose a hazard for the consumer’shealth. Nevertheless, the presence of multiple residues indicatesthat continuous studies and monitoring of these commodities arerequired.