Search

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic main component of the Cannabis plant, has been approved as a drug in the European Union (EU) under the name "Epidyolex". However, its approval process as a food ingredient under the Novel Food Regulation was paused by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) due to a lack of safety data. Nevertheless, there is a growing, unregulated market in which CBD is advertised with various health claims and dosage instructions. Of particular concern is its toxic effect on the liver and possible reproductive toxicity in humans. Studies suitable for calculating the benchmark dose were identified from the available data. Animal studies yielded a benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) of 43 mg/kg bw/day, which translates into a safe human dose of approximately 15 mg/day. Only the Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (LOAEL) of 4.3 mg/kg bw/day could be identified from the human data. This updated risk assessment confirmed a health-based guidance value (HBGV) of 10 mg/day based on human LOAEL. Despite the existing data gaps, preliminary regulation appears advisable because the current form of the gray CBD market is unacceptable from the standpoint of consumer safety and protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a new risk assessment of pulegone, a substance classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The analysis used data from a two-year carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) in 2011. Because of the absence of a no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in these studies, the benchmark dose (BMD) approach was employed as an alternative risk assessment method. The lowest BMD lower confidence level (BMDL) of 4.8 mg/kg b.w./day among the eight endpoints served as the point of departure for calculating an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 48 μg/kg b.w./day. This new ADI is significantly lower than the previously established tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg/kg b.w./day set in 1997. The analysis also considered various genotoxicity studies, which indicate that pulegone's effects follow a nongenotoxic, thresholded mechanism. The estimated intake levels of pulegone in the European Union and USA were below the newly calculated ADI, suggesting a low health risk based on current consumption patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This review evaluates the potential of date seed coffee as a sustainable and caffeine-free alternative to traditional coffee. The authors propose an environmentally friendly approach to beverage production by utilizing discarded date seeds. The findings provide comprehensive evidence supporting the safe consumption of date seed coffee, as demonstrated by a thorough toxicological risk assessment. This application aims to reduce waste and introduce a new culinary use for date seeds, providing a distinctive flavor profile and potential health benefits to the European market. Approximately 8 million tons of dates (Phoenix dactylifera) are produced globally each year. The seeds of the fruit, which make up 10–15% of its weight, are typically discarded. Date seed coffee is a sustainable food system innovation rooted in the traditions of high date-producing regions. Dating back to the late 19th century, date seed coffee has evolved from a historical coffee substitute to a modern caffeine-free alternative. Date seed coffee has a long history of consumption in the European Union (EU). This indicates that it may not require novel food authorization. The composition of date seeds is evaluated in this review and a toxicological risk assessment for date seed coffee is conducted. Subchronic studies show that consuming date seed or date seed coffee has no adverse effects. Therefore, currently unavailable chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity studies may be unnecessary. However, for a comprehensive evaluation, it is recommended to conduct an in vitro mutagenicity test. This review provides information on the safety of date seed coffee and highlights the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coffee contains a plethora of constituents with some of them being especially important either due to their physiological effects or as quality markers. As quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐NMR) has been established as a fast and reliable analytical tool its application was evaluated for the simultaneous quantitation of lactic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, caffeine, caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) isomers, N‐methylpyridinium, trigonelline, and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in aqueous extracts of roasted Coffea arabica samples. Results: Simultaneous quantitative determination was achieved by an automated analysis based on the PULCON methodology (pulse length‐based concentration determination). The method was validated regarding linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ). Recovery rates were between 76% (CQA) and 116% (HMF), and precision was between 1.7% (caffeine) and 10.3% (HMF). The LOD varied between 0.06 g/kg (HMF) and 1.35 g/kg (caffeine and CQA), with the LOQ being between 0.22 g/kg (HMF) and 4.87 g/kg (CQA). To verify the results of the 1H‐NMR method, caffeine, trigonelline, HMF, 3‐CQA, 4‐CQA, and 5‐CQA were additionally quantitated by HPLC‐DAD and the results were compared. The described 1H‐NMR method was additionally applied to coffee samples that contained different coffee defects. Results showed only slight changes in the concentrations of the analytes by adding defective beans to defect‐free coffee. Discussion: The developed 1H‐NMR approach was proven to be fast (30 min), reliable, and precise. Thus, it is well suited to analyze several coffee constituents of interest in a large number of samples in, for example, quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a fundamental international agreement that plays a crucial role in the protection and equitable utilization of plant genetic resources. While this agreement is essential for conservation and sustainable use, it presents specific challenges to coffee research and industry. One major issue is the requirement to obtain prior informed consent (PIC) from the source country or community, which can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially in regions with limited governance capacity. Additionally, the mandates of this agreement necessitate benefit-sharing with the source community, a requirement that poses implementation challenges, particularly for small businesses or individual researchers. Despite these challenges, the importance of the Nagoya Protocol in the coffee sector cannot be overstated. It contributes significantly to the conservation of coffee genetic resources and the sustainable utilization of these resources, ensuring fair distribution of benefits. To address the complexities presented by this international framework, coffee researchers and industry need to engage proactively with source countries and communities. This includes developing clear and equitable benefit-sharing and implementing strategies for compliance. This article explores the impact of the Nagoya Protocol on the coffee industry, particularly emphasizing the need for balancing scientific investigation with the ethical considerations of resource sharing. It also discusses practical strategies for navigating the complexities of this agreement, including research focused on authenticity control and the challenges in conducting large-scale coffee studies. The conclusion underscores the potential for international collaboration, particularly through platforms like the International Coffee Organization (ICO), to harmonize research activities with the ethical imperatives of the Nagoya Protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]