Seasonal variation in trace and minor elements in Brazilian honey by total reflection X-ray fluorescence.

Honey is used as an alternative medicine and is a constituent of a healthy diet worldwide. Its composition is associated with botanical origin and, to some extent, geographical origin because soil and climate characteristics determine the melliferous flora. Also, the elements content in honey samples could give an indication of environmental pollution or geographical origin. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate seasonal patterns of essential elements of Brazilian honey. Honey was collected during spring, summer, autumn, and winter for 2 years to quantify K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, and Sr using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Our results indicate no seasonal differences in concentration of Cr, Ni, Se, and Ti, although there were significant seasonal patterns in the composition of essential elements in honey, with higher concentrations of minor and trace elements, especially K and Ca of samples collected in spring and summer.

Multielemental composition and consumption risk characterization of three commercial marine fish species.

Marine fish are considered a source of high quality proteins and fatty acids. However, the consumption of fish may pose a health risk as it may have potentially toxic elements in high concentrations. In this study we quantify the multielemental composition of muscle and fins for three species of commercial marine fish from Brazil: Sphyraena guachancho (Barracuda), Priacantus arenatus (Common bigeye) and Genidens genidens (Guri sea catfish). We then assessed the potential risk of fish consumption by means of a Provisional Hazard Indices. Amongst the elements detected in fish tissue were potentially toxic elements such as Ag, Ba, Cd, Cr and Hg. Concentration differences were species-specific, and affected by the species trophic level, morphological characteristics and feeding habits. Results suggest the higher the trophic level of the fish, the higher the risk of consumption. Caution is recommended for the frequent ingestion of high trophic level fish species in Brazil.

Avaliação da adequação da rotulagem de geleias reais

A geleia real in natura tem recebido atenção especial por parte dos consumidores devido aos benefícios à saúde que lhe sãoatribuídos. Considerando a crescente procura por este produto no estado do Rio de Janeiro, objetivou-se analisar a conformidadedas informações contidas na rotulagem de 20 marcas distintas de geleias reais in natura comercializadas no estado do Rio deJaneiro, perante a legislação brasileira. Todos os rótulos analisados apresentaram mais de uma irregularidade, sendo as principais:exposição de informações tendenciosas (75%) e falta da informação sobre a ausência de glúten (60%). Mediante o exposto,conclui-se que tais inadequações podem implicar risco à saúde do consumidor e não apresentar os efeitos benéficos do produto.Recomenda-se o exercício rigoroso de fiscalização para o efetivo cumprimento da legislação de forma a evitar inadequações narotulagem destacadas neste estudo, garantindo as informações necessárias para a segurança do consumidor.