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Sublethal effects of low and high molecular weight phthalates were assessed in Unio with a biomarker approach using gills and digestive gland as the main targets of xenobiotic uptake. Diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate and dimethyl phthalate were studied for aquatic toxicity to nontarget freshwater mussels. Adult Unio sp. were exposed to sublethal concentrations. After 96 h exposure, total hemocyte counts in hemolymph and malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, advanced oxidation protein product and protein yields in gill and digestive gland were determined. Total hemocyte counts increased significantly in the dimethyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate exposure groups, but decreased in diisononyl phthalate group. Malondialdehyde levels were higher in dimethyl phthalate in both tissues; whereas diisodecyl phthalate caused increase only in gills. Gill glutathione levels were lower in the diisodecyl phthalate while higher in the dimethyl phthalate in both tissues. Superoxide dismutase activities of both tissues decreased in test groups. Advanced oxidation protein product levels were higher in digestive gland than gill and in test groups compared to control. Differences in xenobiotic bioavailability may cause dissimilar responses even though these phthalates have low solubility. Changes in the biomarkers of lipid peroxidation indicate possible initial physical absorption by the mussel.

This study aimed to measure zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and aluminum (Al) in whole, semi-skimmed, skimmed, organic, fruit-flavored (strawberry, banana, and cocoa), pasteurized, and raw cows’ milk. The samples were collected from sterilized and pasteurized milk processed in different ways in Ankara; the milk was kept in refrigerated raw milk storage tanks on dairy farms. Ninety samples were collected, and there were ten samples in each group. Analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Lead and Cd were not found in any samples, while Zn was observed in all samples. The element with the highest frequency of occurrence was Zn, followed by Cr = As> Al > Se > Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb = Cd, in decreasing order. The lowest concentration among the essential elements was seen in Cu. Aluminum and As were found in 85% and 94.45% of the samples, respectively. However, the present concentrations were below the level of a probable negative effect. It was found that the concentrations of elements in milk showed statistically significant differences, depending on the milk type. It is recommended that low-quality materials not be used in the preparation of milk; the element concentrations in milk and the feed and water consumed by animals should be controlled regularly, and the animals should not be pastured near industrial and traffic sites to protect public health.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which cause environmental pollution, are found in animal-based fatty foods. Due to their long half-life and lipophilic properties, they can accumulate in the fat tissues of cattle. The study was conducted to compare the PCB levels (PCB28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) in the different fat tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, spinal cord, lung, back fat, perihepatic fat, and perirenal fat) of cattle by age and gender. This information is also useful to evaluate the exposure risks for different bovine edible tissues. Therefore, 15 female and 15 male cattle under 24 months of age and 15 female and 15 male cattle over 24 months of age were used, and 480 samples were analyzed for target PCBs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Of all the samples, two (50.2 µg/kg in perihepatic fat and 51.1 µg/kg in kidney) were found above the maximum residue limit; these samples were taken from the animals in the elderly female group (over 24 months). There were more PCBs in cattle older than 2 years. Muscle, kidney, and perihepatic fat presented higher PCB concentrations than other tissues, and perirenal fat presented lower PCB concentrations than other tissues. PCB101, PCB153, and PCB138 were found to have the highest contribution to the PCB concentration. Thus, it is concluded that perihepatic fat, muscle, or kidney should be sampled, particularly in routine residue monitoring, and specifically analyzed for PCB101, PCB153, and PCB138.