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In this work we examined the contents of 14 polyphenols in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) samples cultivated in Southern Italy by the optimisation and validation of a LC-HRMS method. The validation of the LC-HRMS method showed linearity results r2 > 0.989 and recovery values between 71 and 119% for a very wide range of concentrations. Ellagic acid was the most abundant polyphenol, with mean concentrations of 16271.86 ± 19798.53 μg/Kg, followed by apigenin (2749.51 ± 889.95 μg/Kg). A significant variability in ellagic acid contents was found between the areas of cultivation examined (p < 0.05). As far as we know, this work provides the first data on the polyphenols contents of white lupins cultivated in Italy. The comparison with other study confirms the role of the cultivation area for the determination of the polyphenol's contents. The study also confirms white lupins as a promising source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances in a balanced diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dolphins, top predators able to accumulate high levels of environmental contaminants, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution. In this study, the content of metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn) has been evaluated through ICP-MS analysis in several organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of both dolphin species to metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg content correlated to the pollution of the environment where they lived. Significant differences were observed in metals distribution in different organs/tissues analyzed and confirmed by the comparative analysis of metals according to sex and state of development of both dolphin species. These data underline the important role of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as sentinels of the aquatic environment for assessment of the trend of metals pollution in coastal ecosystems and, indirectly, the health of aquatic species of the Mediterranean Sea. Dolphins, top predators of the aquatic food chain, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution as they are sensitive to environmental changes and able to accumulate a large content of contaminants. Several EU directives promote study of marine mammalians as bio-indicators to evaluate the presence of contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as the Mediterranean Sea, which is rich in environmental pollutants due to its geographic and geo-morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of toxic and essential metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn), through ICP-MS analysis, in organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of dolphins to toxic metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg levels observed in skin and liver, although a low Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was found in all samples of both dolphin species. From a comparative analysis of trace metals and metalloids according to sex and state of development, the highest levels of Cd and As were found in females vs. males and adults vs. juveniles, except for Pb in both species, and significant differences were observed between the two species, size of specimens, and organs/tissues analyzed. The highest Hg levels were correlated to those of essential metals Se and Zn, expressed as molar ratios, to evaluate the potential synergic effect of these detoxifying elements against Hg toxicity. This study confirms the rule of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as valid sentinel species of the Mediterranean Sea, to verify the trend of metals pollution in this aquatic environment and, consequently, the health of these marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the presence of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sb, Cd, and Pb in white lupin samples cultivated in Southern Italy by the validation of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The ICP-MS method validation showed satisfactory values of linearity (r2 > 0.999), recovery (87.4–100.7%), repeatability, and reproducibility values. Zinc was the most abundant element; showing mean concentrations of 0.778 ± 0.09 mg/Kg wet weight (w.w.) and a maximum of 1.013 mg/Kg w.w., followed by copper (0.191 ± 0.05 mg/Kg w.w.). Among the non-essential elements, important levels of cadmium were found (0.017 ± 0.004 mg/Kg w.w.), with 28% exceeding the limits set by the EU Regulation. The results of this work confirm the role of white lupins and other legumes in reducing the pH of the soil, increasing the exchangeable forms of Cd. This work also provides the first data on the nutritional and antinutritional properties of white lupins cultivated in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 151 wild and farmed fish samples of three species (S. aurata, D. labrax and U. cirrosa) from south Mediterranean were examined for cadmium, lead and mercury and total lipids detection to verify possible differences between wild and farmed fish. Mercury was detected only in S. aurata samples, with mean values of 0.056 ± 0.128 mg/kg and 0.031 ± 0.033 mg/kg for farmed and wild samples, respectively. The results verified no significant differences in Pb, Cd and Hg levels between wild and farmed fish samples (p < 0.05). The farmed fish samples showed higher total lipids contents than wild (p > 0.05). As far as we know, this work report first findings on the toxic metal presence in farmed Umbrina cirrosa, showing no detectable Hg, Cd and Pb values. The results of this work seems to confirm that the presence of toxic metals could be more related to the pollution the site than the type of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of polyphenols was examined in carob pods ( Ceratonia siliqua ) from Southern Italy 90 days after harvest by the validation of a reliable LC-HRMS method. A greater abundance of Apigenin (51490.22 ± 34399.16 μg/Kg) and Myricetin (24897.92 ± 108332.05 μg/Kg) compared to previous research works conducted in Mediterranean countries. Significant differences in the polyphenol content between sampling areas ( p  < 0.05) were observed, particularly differences in hesperidin and myricetin. These differences confirmed the role of geochemical and climatic conditions in the variation of polyphenol content. This study is a first regarding the phenolic content of carob pods from Southern Italy, confirming the presence of these substances even long after harvest and that carob pods are valuable sources of phenolic substances that may be useful in the prevention of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Dolphins, top predators of the aquatic food chain, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution as they are sensitive to environmental changes and able to accumulate a large content of contaminants. Several EU directives promote study of marine mammalians as bio-indicators to evaluate the presence of contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as the Mediterranean Sea, which is rich in environmental pollutants due to its geographic and geo-morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of toxic and essential metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn), through ICP-MS analysis, in organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis ) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of dolphins to toxic metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg levels observed in skin and liver, although a low Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was found in all samples of both dolphin species. From a comparative analysis of trace metals and metalloids according to sex and state of development, the highest levels of Cd and As were found in females vs. males and adults vs. juveniles, except for Pb in both species, and significant differences were observed between the two species, size of specimens, and organs/tissues analyzed. The highest Hg levels were correlated to those of essential metals Se and Zn, expressed as molar ratios, to evaluate the potential synergic effect of these detoxifying elements against Hg toxicity. This study confirms the rule of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as valid sentinel species of the Mediterranean Sea, to verify the trend of metals pollution in this aquatic environment and, consequently, the health of these marine species.