Elevated atmospheric CO2 might increase the health risk of long-term ingestion of leafy vegetables cultivated in residual DDT polluted soil.

Residual dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in the environment and a continuously increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration are two issues that have received a lot of attention. This study was conducted using a pot experiment to investigate the interactive effects of elevated CO2 and DDT on the uptake of DDT, the physiological responses and the resulting health risks in three vegetables. These vegetables included Brassica juncea var. foliosa Bailey (B. Bailey), Brassica campestris L. var. communis Tsen et Lee Suzhou Qing (B. Lee) and Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis (Lour.) Olsson Chun Dawang (B. Olsson). Two levels of CO2 and four DDT treatment levels were set up. Results showed 5 mg kg-1 DDT significantly reduced the shoot biomass of B. Bailey when compared to 0 mg kg-1 DDT treatment under ambient CO2 condition. Elevated CO2 concentration stimulated the growth of B. Bailey and B. Lee, increased the DDT uptake in the shoots of both vegetables and the values of some photosynthesis indices, and triggered the activity of peroxidase and catalase in the shoots when compared to the related ambient CO2 treatment. Elevated CO2 concentration increased the values of hazard indexes for non-carcinogenic and cancer risks of all vegetables when compared to the individual ambient CO2 treatment (each of vegetable has an ambient CO2 treatment), especially for B. Bailey (increase amplitude of 123.81%-127.78% at 5 mg kg-1 DDT). Long-term ingestion with these DDT-polluted vegetables might result in an elevated carcinogenic risk and elevated atmospheric CO2 may enhance the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.

[Studies on dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of anti-hypoxia effects and quality standard of Tibetan medicine Brassicea Radix extract].

To evaluate the efficacy and safety associated with anti-hypoxia effect and establish the quality standard for Brassicea Radix extract, the investigations of acute toxicity and subacute toxicity were carried out to preliminarily appraise the toxicity, and the models of normal pressure hypoxia, acute cerebral ischemia and sodium nitrite poisoning in mice were used to evaluate the effect of enhancing anoxia endurance. Then according to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the sulfuric acid-phenol method was applied to determine the content of polysaccharide, and the water, ash and insoluble matter in water inspections were carried out and the control medicinal herb was identified with the samples by qualitative TLC. The results indicated that ① the toxic effects (LD50) of mice was 56.73 g•kg⁻¹ by oral administration of Brassicea Radix extract, while Dm and Dn were respective 86.80 g•kg•d⁻¹ and 35.55 g•kg•d⁻¹;②the determined effective dosage of Brassicea Radix extract which could enhance anoxia endurance was 0.388 g•kg⁻¹â€¢d⁻¹; ③ the methods of TLC and the content of polysaccharide were established. The method of quality control has been recorded in Sichuan Province Standard for Tibetan Medicine, which is reliable, accurate and simple, with good reproducibility. Meanwhile, given the prominent effect on anti-hypoxia and good safety, it provided important basis for clinic safe and effective usage and the development of health products.

Simultaneous determination of 36 pesticide residues in spinach and cauliflower by LC-MS/MS using multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based dispersive solid-phase clean-up.

A multi-residue method based on a modified QuEChERS sample preparation with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reversed-dispersive solid-phase extraction (r-DSPE) material and LC-MS/MS determination by MRM mode was validated for 36 representative pesticides in spinach and cauliflower. It was demonstrated that MWCNTs can be used as effective r-DSPE materials with the QuEChERS method for the clean-up of extract from different matrices. However, MWCNTs could absorb pyrimethanil, diflubenzuron, and chlorbenzuron in both spinach and cauliflower, which leads to the low recoveries compared with PSA. The LODs and LOQs for 36 pesticides ranged from 0.1 to 5 µg kg(-1) and from 2 to 30 µg kg(-1), respectively. Good linearity was found for all pesticides with coefficients better than 0.995 in a range of 0.02-0.5 mg l(-1). The developed method with MWCNTs clean-up was successfully used to determine the 36 pesticides in real samples.

Genotoxicity studies of organically grown broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and its interactions with urethane, methyl methanesulfonate and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide genotoxicity in the wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) has been defined as a cancer preventive food. Nevertheless, broccoli contains potentially genotoxic compounds as well. We performed the wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster in treatments with organically grown broccoli (OGB) and co-treatments with the promutagen urethane (URE), the direct alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) in the standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses with inducible and high levels of cytochrome P450s (CYPs), respectively. Larvae of both crosses were chronically fed with OGB or fresh market broccoli (FMB) as a non-organically grown control, added with solvents or mutagens solutions. In both crosses, the OGB added with Tween-ethanol yielded the expected reduction in the genotoxicity spontaneous rate. OGB co-treatments did not affect the URE effect, MMS showed synergy and 4-NQO damage was modulated in both crosses. In contrast, FMB controls produced damage increase; co-treatments modulated URE genotoxicity, diminished MMS damage, and did not change the 4-NQO damage. The high dietary consumption of both types of broccoli and its protective effects in D. melanogaster are discussed.

Cadmium accumulation in pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) and estimated dietary intake in the suburb of Hangzhou city, China.

The total content of cadmium and its distribution between leaves and roots were investigated for pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.), which was grown in a contaminated area of Hangzhou city, China. Results showed that cadmium concentrations in 90% of samples exceeded the Chinese tolerance limit for food. Although roots of pak choi had a higher concentration of cadmium than leaves, leaf tissue (the edible part) accumulated over 80% (on average) of the whole plant cadmium burden due to the greater biomass in leaf tissue. Since pak choi is the staple vegetable in the study area and of great relevance to human health, the dietary intake of cadmium and calculated risk indexes to local residents through the food chain were determined.

Food safety evaluation of broccoli and radish sprouts.

Three cultivars of broccoli seeds (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cv. Tiburon, cv. Belstar and cv. Lucky, and two cultivars of radish seeds (Raphanus sativus), cv. Rebel and cv. Bolide, were germinated for three and five days and safety aspects such as microbiological counts and biogenic amines were investigated. Cytotoxicity evaluation was also carried out. Broccoli and radish sprouts contained numbers of mesophilic, psychrotrophic, total and faecal coliform bacteria which are the usual counts for minimally processed germinated seeds. Putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine and spermine increased during sprout production although these levels were below those permitted by legislation (5 mg/100 g of edible food). Broccoli and radish sprouts demonstrated no toxic effects on proliferation and viability of HL-60 cells and should be included in our diets as healthy and safe fresh foods.

Genotoxic effects of crude juices from Brassica vegetables and juices and extracts from phytopharmaceutical preparations and spices of cruciferous plants origin in bacterial and mammalian cells.

Crude juices of eight Brassica vegetables as well as juices and extracts of spices and phytopharmaceutical preparations from cruciferous vegetables were tested for induction of point mutations in Salmonella TA98 and TA100, repairable DNA damage in E.coli K-12 cells and clastogenic effects in mammalian cells. In bacterial assays, all juices caused genotoxic effects in the absence of metabolic activation, the ranking order being: Brussels sprouts > white cabbage > cauliflower > green cabbage > kohlrabi > broccoli > turnip > black radish. In experiments with mammalian cells, six juices induced structural chromosome aberrations. Brussels sprouts, white and green cabbage caused the strongest effects (800 microliters of juice induced a 5-fold increase over the background). In sister chromatid exchange assays, positive results were measured as well, but the effects were less pronounced. With all juices the genotoxic effects seen in mammalian cells were paralleled by a pronounced decrease in cell viability. Column fractionation experiments showed that 70-80% of the total genotoxic activity of the juices is found in the fraction which contains isothiocyanates and other breakdown products of glucosinolates, whereas phenolics and flavonoids contributed to a lesser extent to the overall effects. On the basis of these findings, and considering the negative results obtained with non-cruciferous vegetables (tomato, carrot and green pepper), it seems likely that the genotoxic effects of the juices are due to specific constituents of cruciferous plants such as glucosinolates and/or their breakdown products, in particular, isothiocyanates, which we found previously to be potent genotoxins in bacterial and mammalian cells. Finally, spices (mustards and horse radish paste) and phytopharmaceutical preparations were tested in bacterial assays. Mustards and horse radish caused very weak effects while most of the pharmaceutical preparations gave negative results, except cabbage tablets, which caused a strong and dose dependent induction of his revertants in Salmonella TA100. The present findings clearly indicate that cruciferous vegetables contain DNA damaging constituents. These observations are in contrast to earlier findings, which emphasized the antimutagenic effects of vegetable juices and also raise the question whether greatly increased consumption of Brassica vegetables or their concentrated constituents as a means for cancer prevention is indeed recommendable.

Evaluation of the allergic/irritant potential of air pollutants: detection of proteins modified by volatile organic compounds from oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera) using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Upward trends in allergy and asthma rates have been reported in most western societies, including the UK, where around 15-20% of the population now suffer from allergy or asthma. Scientific proof of the causes of these increases relies on accurate assessment of exposure and standardized diagnostic tests, such as for specific IgE in blood serum and skin testing. For many air pollutants it has proven difficult to assess an individual's exposure outside an occupational environment and reliable test development is hampered by not knowing whether an allergic or irritant mechanism is involved. These problems are particularly evident in the controversial issue of whether airborne releases from oilseed rape can cause health effects. OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for evaluating the allergic/irritant potential of air pollutants and to assess whether the volatile organic compounds emitted by oilseed rape have this potential. METHODS: Proteins were exposed in vitro to volatile organic compounds emitted by oilseed rape. Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry was used to detect any resultant protein modifications. RESULTS: Dimethyl disulphide, thiocyanic acid methyl ester and 2-methyl-propanenitrile were able to modify human proteins. In addition, two isothiocyanates which can be emitted by damaged oilseed rape also have this ability. The major products emitted by undamaged oilseed rape, terpenes, a sesquiterpene and a terpene alcohol did not have this property, but the possible role of their oxidized products is discussed. CONCLUSION: Some of the volatile organic compounds emitted by oilseed rape have the potential to be allergens/irritants. Standardized modified proteins produced by this method should prove useful for biomonitoring human exposure in molecular epidemiological studies as well as in diagnostic tests. This method should find further application in investigations into the possible health effects of other environmental pollutants.

[Testing of rapeseed with different glucosinolate contents in growing swine--a contribution for the evaluation of native harmful substances in food]. / Prüfung von Raps mit unterschiedlichem Glucosinolatgehalt an wachsenden Schweinen--ein Beitrag zur Bewertung nativer Schadstoffe der Nahrung.

Glucosinolates are present in kale but also in rapeseed meal. Rapeseed meal diets with 0.2 to 8 g (0.5-19 mmol) glucosinolates/kg were tested with a total of 197 growing pigs. The iodine supply was different. In case of lacking iodine pigs consumed less of feed with rapeseed meal. The growth was strongly lowered. Clinical hypothyroidism had occurred. In the serum T4 was not detectable. The strongly enlarged thyroid contained only little iodine. The Zn status was impaired. The serum vitamin A concentration was increased and Cu has been accumulated in the liver. Giving iodine the glucosinolates were without any effect or the effects were weakened. In case of < 2 g glucosinolates/kg diet the feed intake was not impaired. 1 g glucosinolates/kg diet had not affected thyroid weight (reference range: 80-120 mg/kg body weight). However iodine dosage was above requirement. In people an estimated daily intake of 0.1 g glucosinolates may be a health risk only under iodine deficiency conditions.