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Metals (trace elements and rare earth elements, REEs) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in blood, the liver, the kidney and muscle of ex situ spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The controlled environment in which these elasmobranchs were hosted allowed to assess a baseline level of metals in the different organs since exposure via water and food can be easily monitored. The highest arsenic, chromium, copper, and iron values were found in the liver, cobalt in the kidney, and cadmium and rubidium in muscle. The highest total trace elements content was found in the trend liver (75 mg kg

Early in this century, the crisis connected to the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy caused a great concern related to the use of animal by-products (ABPs). According to the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1069/2009, these materials are classified in three categories according to their related risk. In 2011 Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 established that meat and bone meal (MBM) and fat deriving from ABPs not intended for human consumption (category 1 and 2) are required to be permanently marked with glyceroltriheptanoate (GTH), at a minimum concentration of 250 mg kg

Insects represent a valuable and environmentally friendly protein alternative in food and feed. The Farm to Fork strategy encouraged the reintroduction of animal by-products in feed production to optimize recycling and to valorise under-used resources. In order to grant safe and valuable feed products, this study investigated the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) chemical risk.Samples collected in different steps of production (8 samples of substrate for culturing, 7 samples of larvae, 15 samples of protein meal, 18 samples of spent substrate) were analysed for essential elements (chromium, copper, iron, nickel, selenium and zinc) and inorganic contaminants (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, tin and vanadium) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Essential elements were found in the following order Fe>Zn>Cu>Ni>Se>Cr (mg kg-1). Non-essential elements concentrations were found lower than the set limits according to the European Union Regulations. The growing demand for alternative protein sources for feed production could be partially compensated by black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) meal, as it appears a good source for high quality proteins and essential elements which play a pivotal role in animal growth. In the foreseeable future the current legislation and the official monitoring plans may be implemented and broaden, to focus and assess limits for upcoming matrices, and to ensure feed and food safety.

The toxicity of water samples from water distribution plants needs to be investigated further. Indeed, studies on the pro-oxidant effects driven by tap water are very limited. In this study, the water quality, pro-oxidant effects, and potential health risks driven by exposure to groundwater samples from two water plants (sites A and B) located in Northwestern Italy were investigated in a multi-level system. Physicochemical parameters and the absence of pathogens, cyanotoxins, and endocrine active substances indicated a good water quality for both sites. The 25 metals analyzed were found under the limit of quantification or compliant with the maximum limits set by national legislation. Water samples were concentrated by the solid-phase extraction system in order to assess the aquatic toxicity on Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cell line. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase were evaluated through the Integrated Biomarkers Response (IBRv2) index. EPC cell line was found a sensible model for assessing the antioxidant responses driven by both water concentrates. A similar antioxidant response was shown by plots and IBRv2 suggesting a muted risk for the two sampling sites.

Honey is a very unusual food - a natural substance produced by bees from the nectar or secretion of plants and elaborated by the bees themselves. Differences in trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) are related to botanical and geographical origin, and, as such, honey could be a suitable indicator for metal occurrence in the environment within the bee forage area. A total of 40 metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in multi-floral honey samples from different geographical areas. The highest levels of trace elements and REEs were found in honey from Tanzania, while lower concentrations were recorded in Italian, Kazakhstan, the Balkans, and South American honeys. Tanzanian honey is of interest due to its different content of metals, related to the peculiar lithology and the mineral resources of this country. Rubidium and aluminum were the most represented nonessential elements, while manganese, iron, zinc, and copper registered the highest values of the essential elements. Very low concentrations were found for the toxic elements lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The present study showed differences in metal concentrations in multi-floral honey from different countries, confirming the strong influence of the area of origin on the chemical composition of honeys.

The present study aimed to determine trace elements in Mediterranean mussels (

Processed animal products (PAPs) could be a great alternative to common protein supplements and represent a good example of recycling and valorization of by-products. Due to the reintroduction of certain types of PAPs in feed, a deeper knowledge of these heterogeneous matrices is needed. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of essential elements and inorganic contaminants in 55 PAPs considered as potential alternatives to common protein supplements.PAPs samples were analysed for essential (cobalt, nickel, chromium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese) and non-essential elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Graphite Furnace Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GF-AAS) and dual cell Direct Mercury Analyzer spectrometer (DMA-80).Essential elements were found with the following decreasing order ironzinccoppermanganesechromiumnickelcobalt (mg kgThis study suggests that PAPs could be a useful supplement for animal diet due to their natural content of essential elements. A careful monitoring of chemical elements should be required and eventually guidelines have to be drafted for a correct use of PAPs to ensure a safe and sustainable feed production.

The objectives of this research were, first, to determine the concentrations of certain heavy metals in the edible tissue of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta trutta) from two different rivers located in the Abruzzi region (Italy), and then, to investigate the levels of variation in vitellogenin (VTG) associated with the presence of metalloestrogens. VTG is an effective indicator for endocrine disturbance, and an increase in the vitellogenin levels in male fish is widely employed as a biomarker of estrogenic contamination in the aquatic environment. The muscles of the trout were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, and Zn using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), and Hg was measured using a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80). The calculated values of the condition factor confirmed a healthy status for this species, indicating that the aquatic habit in both rivers is suitable for brown trout life. No significant difference in the concentrations of each metal were reported between the trout from the two rivers, and no significant difference for VTG levels were found between male and female fish. It is interesting to note the high concentrations of Al/Zn, while the Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations in all of the samples were lower than those established by the European Commission.

Microplastics are contaminants of great concern all over the world. Microplastics constitute pollutants themselves; moreover, other contaminants such as metals are easily absorbed on their plastic surface, becoming bioavailable to marine biota such as zooplankton.We collected marine zooplankton from Mediterranean Sea to investigate trace elements associated with microplastics. Samples were subjected to visual sorting by a stereomicroscope, collected with sterile tweezers, pooled and subjected to sonication, filtration, and drying before being subjected to acid extraction. An ICP-MS was utilized for multi-elemental determination.Aluminum, iron, chromium, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, lead cobalt, and copper were found at concentrations of mg/kg while arsenic, vanadium, rubidium, and cadmium at level of μg kg-1. Other elements such as silver, beryllium, bismuth, selenium, tin, and thallium were under the limit of quantitation. Lower levels of iron and manganese in samples from Italy were found in comparison to England and Brazil, while aluminum, copper, and zinc registered comparable values. The presence of metals in marine waters is strictly related to sediment lithology and anthropogenic inputs, but plastic plays a key role as vectors for metal ions in the marine system, being able to concentrate metals several order of magnitude higher than in surrounding waters and exerting potential toxicity for living beings after chronic exposure.

The occurrence of 21 trace elements in native Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Calich Lagoon, a typical brackish area of the northwest of Sardinia (Italy), was investigated. The seasonal variation of metals in bivalves was considered, and the highest values were found in spring and summer; in particular, a high significant (P

Nickel (Ni) is an essential element in plants and animals, but elevated levels can exert toxicity in living beings, as recently highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority opinion. However, literature regarding the presence of nickel in the environment is scarce. In 2016, the EU Commission Recommendation n°1110 recommended monitoring the presence of Ni in feed in order to set maximum levels or to adopt other risk management measures to ensure a high level of animal health protection and consequently of human health. A total of 200 samples of feedingstuffs, drinking water, and milk were collected from dairy cow farms in Piedmont, and analyzed for Ni concentration by Z-ETA-AAS. Results showed the presence of nickel in feedingstuffs in a range from 0.20 to 16 mg/kg, while Ni concentrations in water and milk were close to or below the limit of quantitation. There was no carry-over from feed to milk in this food chain. Nickel concentrations were not of concern for animal health despite being in the upper range of those observed in vegetables from Europe.

Background Metals are a minor constituent in honey, but they have been suggested to be a potential tool to characterize honeys according to their botanical or geographical origin. Methods A total of 40 metals were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in monofloral and multifloral honeys from Northwestern Italy. PCA and ANOVA were used to discriminate honeys according to the various floral types. Results The highest levels of trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) were found in chestnut honey, while the lowest concentrations were recorded in acacia and rhododendron honeys. Rubidium and aluminum were the most represented nonessential elements, while manganese, iron, zinc and copper had the highest values of the essential elements. Potentially toxic elements arsenic, cadmium and lead were close to or below the limit of quantification. Conclusions The present study showed significant differences in metal concentrations according to honey floral type, reflecting the strong influence of botanical origin on the chemical composition of this particular food.

This study aimed to assess the biological and sanitary conditions of alien fish in a high-mountain lake (Balma Lake) located in the Cottian Alps. A single fish sampling session (August 2018) using gillnets collected 90 specimens of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Sex and age were determined (59 females and 31 males, age class 0+ to 4+). Regression analysis showed no difference in total weight and total length between males and females (ANCOVA: F = 0.453, p = 0.954). The mean condition factor (Kmean) decreased with increasing age for males and females. Terrestrial insects were the main prey found in the fish stomachs. The parasitological exam was negative, and the bacteriological exam was positive for Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and C. divergens in 33% of specimens. The total mercury, cadmium, and lead concentration in muscle tissue was within the maximum limit established by the European Commission for human consumption. The brook trout population was found to be well structured, these findings may help local administrations in the implementation of eradication measures.

The presence of Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in non-depurated and depurated oysters raised in the north-west Italian coast was investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Total and inorganic arsenic (As) and the presence of marine biotoxins (DSP, ASP, PSP) by LC-MS were also investigated. NoV was detected through all the sampling period in non depurated and depurated oysters with highest levels during wintertime (>104 genome copies per gram, gc/g) and minimum values in summer below the LOQ (

Background Transfer of metals from soil to plant is a possible route of contamination for the food chain. This investigation focused on the occurrence of 40 elements in the “Red Apple of Cuneo”, an Italian excellence and a Protected Geographical Indication (P.G.I.). Four cultivars were considered: Red Delicious (Jeromine) and Gala (Bukeye, Brookfield, Schniga). Methods Trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) detection was performed by an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) previous homogenization of samples and microwave acid digestion. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction was employed to for statistical analysis. Results Concentrations of metals in the four apples cultivars were quite comparable, Al and Rb were the most represented nonessential elements while Fe, Cu and Zn between the essential; REEs were found at negligible concentrations. Bioaccumulation factors demonstrated an extremely low capacity of bioaccumulation from soil to fruit. Conclusions The analysis performed on the “Red Apple of Cuneo” has shown that this product is safe for human consumption since metals were recovered at concentrations of no concern and lower than those registered in apples from other countries. Since each production area is characterized by a typical elemental pattern the multielemental profile based on the analysis of 40 elements could be useful to relate products to their region of origin. Differences between the four apple cultivars were instead not significant to discriminate between them.