Search

Developing tailor-made fortified farmed fish is a promising solution to overcome nutritional deficiencies and increase consumer confidence in these products. This study evaluated the supplementation of three fortified diets with I-rich seaweed and selenised-yeast on essential and toxic elements levels in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fortified diets resulted in increased I, Se and Fe in fish muscle. Biofortified seabream and carp revealed lower Cu and Br. The reduction of fishmeal and fish oil in fortified diets resulted in lower Hg and Cd in seabream muscle. Contrarily, fortified diets increased As and Hg in carp fillets. The consumption of 150 g of fortified seabream enabled a significantly higher contribution to the daily recommended intake (DRI) of I (10%) and Se (76%) than non-fortified fish, whereas fortified carp fulfilled 23% of I DRI and 91% of Se DRI. Moreover, the exposure to Pb decreased with the consumption of biofortified seabream (23–82% BMDL01) and carp (26–92% BMDL01). These results support the strategy of developing eco-innovative biofortified farmed fish using sustainable, natural, safe and high-quality ingredients in feeds, to enable consumers to overcome nutritional deficiencies without significantly increased feed costs. Highlights: Farmed fish biofortification was successfully achieved through I and Se enriched diets from natural and sustainable sources; Biofortified fish fillets yielded a lower exposure to toxic elements, including Hg, Cd and Pb; Iodine fortification was more efficient in common carp, while Se biofortification was more efficient in gilthead seabream; Consumption of biofortified fish provides higher contribution to the DRI of I and Se, without compromising consumer safety. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 773400 (SEAFOODTOMORROW) and Portuguese national funds (DIVERSIAQUA MAR 2020–16-02-01-FEAM- 66). The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) supported the contracts of AM in the framework of the IF2014 program (IF/00253/2014), as well as the contract of PA in the framework of CEECIND/01739/2017 and the research contract of ALM in the framework of the project FISHBUDGET (PTDC/BIA-BMA/28630/2017). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in several types of honey purchased from the local consumer markets in Central Italy by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Lead and Cd were also determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with graphite tube atomization (AAS-GTA). The degree of humidity, sugar content, pH, free acidity, combined acidity (lactones) and total acidity were also measured. These elements were found to be present in honeys in various proportions depending upon (1) area foraged by bees, (2) flower type visited for the collection of nectar, and (3) quality of water in the vicinity of the hive. The honeys consumed in Italy were of good quality, but not completely free of heavy metal contamination. Compared with established recommended daily intakes, heavy metals or trace element concentrations in samples investigated, however, do not pose any serious concern to human health.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration and the reference ranges of essential and toxic elements in amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal serum (MS) at birth. This study was conducted among 175 healthy pregnant Caucasian European women aged 18–42. AF and maternal blood samples were collected during delivery. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique was used to determine the levels of Mg, Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba, Pb, U, Ca, Cr, Al, Mn, V, Fe, As, Se and Sb in AF and MS. The range of reference values was calculated for all analyzed elements in the serum and AF. The mean concentrations of elements, except Pb, were generally higher in MS than in AF. Multiple regression analysis showed that the maternal/newborn body mass (MBM/NBM) ratio was a strong negative predictor (among maternal age and gravidity) of Mg concentration in amniotic fluid. In the serum, MBN/NBM ratio was a strong positive predictor of Cu concentration. Moreover, regression analysis showed that maternal age was an independent positive predictor of the Se level in maternal serum. The reference value ranges of 18 essential and toxic elements were established in AF and MS among a population of healthy pregnant Polish women at delivery. The level of Mg, Co, Cu, Ca and Se in AF and MS can be determined by maternal age and MBM/NBM ratio. These results can be useful in counseling individuals with pregnancies affected by exposure to one of the parameters under investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s12011-018-1471-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Levels of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in several types of honey produced in a region of Central Italy were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The degree of humidity, sugar content, pH, free acidity, combined acidity (lactones), and total acidity were also measured. These elements were found to be present in honey in various proportions depending upon (1) the area foraged by bees, (2) flower type visited for collection of nectar, and (3) quality of water in the vicinity of the hive. Strong positive correlations occurred between Pb and Hg, Pb and Cd, Pb and Fe, Pb and Cr, Hg and Cd, and Hg and Fe. The honey products synthesized in Central Italy were of good quality, but not completely free of heavy metal contamination. Compared with established recommended daily intakes, heavy metals or trace element intoxication following honey consumption in Italy was found not to be a concern for human health.

Eleven elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, K, Ca, Mg, Ni, Cd, Pb and Cr) in seven herbal drugs (Salviae folium, Menthae piperitae folium, Melissae folium, Lavandulae flos, Basilici herba, Marubii herba and Origani herba) and in rhizosphere soil samples were determined. A microwave digestion procedure preceded the measurements by the flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy techniques (FAAS, ETAAS). For potentially hazardous elements and their bioavailability, BCF values were also calculated and discussed in order to identify possible sources of specific elements. Određen je sadržaj 11 elemenata (Cu, Zn,Mn, Fe, K, Ca, Mg, Ni, Cd, Pb i Cr) u sedam biljnih droga Salviae folium, Menthae piperitae folium, Melissae folium, Lavandulae flos, Basilici herba, Marubiti herba i Origani herba) kao i u uzorcima zemljišta (rizosfere). Mikrotalasna digestija uzoraka je prethodila određivanju koncentracije elemenata primenom metoda plamene i elektrotermalne atomske apsorpcione spektroskopije. Izračunati su i biokoncentracioni faktori za potencijalno toksične elemente u cilju razmatranja potencijalne bioraspoloživosti, kao i identifikacije mogućih izvora zagađenja.