Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cooked (tandoori) chicken and associated health risk.

Tandoori cooking is a popular food preparation method in India involving a unique combination of grilling, baking, barbecuing, and roasting processes. This study determined the levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tandoori chicken and assessed the associated health risk. The sum of 16 PAHs concentration ranged from 25.4 to 3733 µg/kg with an average of 440 ± 853 µg/kg. Analyzed samples demonstrated major contribution of 2, 3, and 4 ring PAHs. Diagnostic ratios identified combustion and high-temperature processes as the main source favoring PAHs generation in these samples. Benzo(a)pyrene equivalents and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) estimates for different population groups (boys, girls, adult males, adult females, elderly males, elderly females) associated with dietary intake of these products ranged from 6.88E-05 to 4.13E-03 and 1.63E-08 to 1.72E-06, respectively. Since the ILCR values fell within the safe limits (1E-06, i.e., nonsignificant), the consumption of tandoori chicken may be considered as safe. The study emphasizes the need for extensive studies on PAHs formation in tandoori food products.

Integrated approach towards acrylamide reduction in potato-based snacks: A critical review.

Acrylamide is a process contaminant and neurotoxic with growing evidence of cancer in human. Potato-based products majorly contribute towards acrylamide dietary intake thereby posing major food safety threat that necessitates formulation of acrylamide reduction strategies. This review highlights the recent research work on acrylamide formation mechanism, dietary intake, toxicity and potential reduction strategies at various levels in the food supply chain to ensure safety of potato-based products. Acrylamide formation in potato-based products depends on several factors involved in potato supply chain. Depending on the variety, application of nitrogen and sulphur fertilization may show positive, negative, or no effect on acrylamide formation. Heat and water stress faced by potato crops may increase the risk of acrylamide formation in processed products. Various pre-processing (e.g., blanching, chemical treatments etc.) and processing (e.g., methods, temperature, time) strategies may also reduce acrylamide formation (37-98%) in potato-based products at commercial and domestic levels. The acrylamide reduction strategies from farm to fork level have been discussed with special emphasis on mechanism of chemical treatments with pictorial representation.

Quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in kitchen depositions by SUPRAS-LC-FLR and human health risk assessment.

Concentration, composition and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in kitchen depositions from different sampling categories such as restaurants, university mess and houses were investigated, and associated human exposure risk through dietary intake, inhalation and dermal contact was determined. The PAHs in the samples were extracted by supramolecular solvent based microextraction (SUPRAS) method and the concentrations were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The mean of Σ16PAHs concentration was found to be the highest (386.09 ± 413.17 mg kg-1) for restaurants followed by mess (80.91 ± 92.81 mg kg-1) and houses (24.65 ± 10.52 mg kg-1). Traffic sources were found to be predominant contributors of PAHs in restaurants while cooking activities were the sources for mess and houses. Three- and five-ring PAHs were prominent in restaurants and mess samples while two- and three-ring PAHs contributed the most in houses samples. Non-cancer risk (hazard index) from exposure to these PAHs was found to be within safe limits i.e. 2.70E-09 to 7.46E-08. Estimated lifetime cancer risk was found to range from 2.46E-06 to 7.81E-04 from exposure to these PAHs and indicates significant risk due to exceeding the guideline value of 10-6.

Gestational route to healthy birth (GaRBH): protocol for an Indian prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is characterised by a high rate of metabolic shifts from early to late phases of gestation in order to meet the raised physiological and metabolic needs. This change in levels of metabolites is influenced by gestational weight gain (GWG), which is an important characteristic of healthy pregnancy. Inadequate/excessive GWG has short-term and long-term implications on maternal and child health. Exploration of gestational metabolism is required for understanding the quantitative changes in metabolite levels during the course of pregnancy. Therefore, our aim is to study trimester-specific variation in levels of metabolites in relation to GWG and its influence on fetal growth and newborn anthropometric traits at birth. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A prospective longitudinal study is planned (start date: February 2018; end date: March 2023) on pregnant women that are being recruited in the first trimester and followed in subsequent trimesters and at the time of delivery (total 3 follow-ups). The study is being conducted in a hospital located in Bikaner district (66% rural population), Rajasthan, India. The estimated sample size is of 1000 mother-offspring pairs. Information on gynaecological and obstetric history, socioeconomic position, diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, depression, anthropometric measurements and blood samples is being collected for metabolic assays in each trimester using standardised methods. Mixed effects regression models will be used to assess the role of gestational weight in influencing metabolite levels in each trimester. The association of maternal levels of metabolites with fetal growth, offspring's weight and body composition at birth will be investigated using regression modelling. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the ethics committees of the Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi and Sardar Patel Medical College, Rajasthan. We are taking written informed consent after discussing the various aspects of the study with the participants in the local language.

PAHs in Indian diet: Assessing the cancer risk.

Food products such as bread, biscuits, tea, coffee, oils, chocolates, grapes, pepper and fishes belonging to different categories represent a significant part of everyday diet in India and other countries having variable cooking techniques. In this study, we evaluated cancer risks of long term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) through consumption of these products for eight societal groups in India. Total concentrations of PAHs in these products from India ranged from 0.18 to 61967 µg kg-1 and the cancer risk values for the eight sections of Indian population ranged between 7.63E-10 to 5.05E+00, indicating product specific distribution of risk from non-significant to significant levels. Cereals, vegetables and decoctions contributed majorly to cancer risk and the most susceptible group identified was children. The spread of risk estimates followed Burr and Exponential distributions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to develop information on the health risk faced by Indian population through dietary PAHs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' formation and occurrence in processed food.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emerged as an important contaminant group in a gamut of processed food groups like dairy, nuts, herbs, beverages, meat products etc. Different cooking processes and processing techniques like roasting, barbecuing, grilling, smoking, heating, drying, baking, ohmic-infrared cooking etc. contribute towards its formation. The level of PAHs depends on factors like distance from heat source, fuel used, level of processing, cooking durations and methods, whereas processes like reuse, conching, concentration, crushing and storage enhance the amount of PAHs in some food items. This review paper provides insight into the impact of dietary intake of PAHs, its levels and formation mechanism in processed food items and possible interventions for prevention and reduction of the PAHs contamination. The gaps and future prospects have also been assessed.

Contrasting temporal trends and relationships of total organic carbon, black carbon, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rural low-altitude and remote high-altitude lakes.

Historical records of total organic carbon (TOC), black carbon (BC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were reconstructed in dated sediment cores from four nearby lakes in central Switzerland. In the sub-Alpine Lake Thun, located at 558 m a.s.l., the proximity to anthropogenic emission sources is reflected in higher input of BC and PAHs into sediments with fluxes only slightly decreasing during the last decades. PAH/BC ratios are relatively high and correlation between levels of total PAHs and BC is almost inexistent in Lake Thun, probably due to the presence of less condensed forms of the BC spectrum (char BC) that is underestimated with the chemothermal oxidation method applied in this study. The sediment profiles of TOC, BC, and PAHs are noticeably different in the mountain lakes located around 2000 m a.s.l. In Lake Engstlen, the PAH/BC ratios, as well as the correlation between PAHs and BC, point towards appreciable amounts of predominantly light soot particles. Light soot particles have higher mobility and can, therefore, be efficiently transported to this remote site. The proglacial Lake Oberaar is shown to be a receptor of BC and PAHs released by the fast melting adjacent glacier acting as a secondary source for these conservative species temporarily stored in the glacier ice. Finally, Lake Stein is in strong contrast to all other lakes. High flux of BC into Lake Stein, combined with constant temporal evolutions of BC and PAHs, and in particular BC/TOC ratios approaching 100% are all strong indications for a geogenic presence of graphite in its catchment area.

Is black carbon a better predictor of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon distribution in soils than total organic carbon?

Black carbon (BC) and total organic carbon (TOC) were quantified in the surface soils of Switzerland (N=105) and Delhi (N=36), India, to examine their relationships with contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). BC content in Swiss (background) soils (N=104) varied from 0.41 to 4.75 mg/g (median: 1.13 mg/g) and constituted 1-9% (median: 3%) of TOC. Indian (urban) soils had similar BC concentrations (0.37-2.05 mg/g, median: 1.19 mg/g), with relatively higher BC/TOC (6-23%, median: 13%). Similar to TOC, BC showed significant positive correlation with lighter PAH, but no correlation with heavier PAH in Swiss soils. In contrast, heavier PAH were significantly correlated only with BC in Delhi soils. It seems that TOC governs the distribution of PAH in organic matter rich background soils, while the proximity to emission sources is reflected by BC-PAH association in urban soils.

Adaptation, validation and application of the chemo-thermal oxidation method to quantify black carbon in soils.

The chemo-thermal oxidation method at 375°C (CTO-375) has been widely used to quantify black carbon (BC) in sediments. In the present study, CTO-375 was tested and adapted for application to soil, accounting for some matrix specific properties like high organic carbon (≤ 39%) and carbonate (≤ 37%) content. Average recoveries of standard reference material SRM-2975 ranged from 25 to 86% for nine representative Swiss and Indian samples, which is similar to literature data for sediments. The adapted method was applied to selected samples of the Swiss soil monitoring network (NABO). BC content exhibited different patterns in three soil profiles while contribution of BC to TOC was found maximum below the topsoil at all three sites, however at different depths (60-130 cm). Six different NABO sites exhibited largely constant BC concentrations over the last 25 years, with short-term (6 months) prevailing over long-term (5 years) temporal fluctuations.

Concentration level, pattern and toxic potential of PAHs in traffic soil of Delhi, India.

Present study was envisaged to examine the impact of vehicular traffic on the contamination status of urban traffic sites in Delhi with respect to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH). Surface soil (0-5 cm) from three traffic sites and one rural site was analyzed and the content of 16 priority PAHs was determined. Total PAH concentration at traffic sites ranged from 1062 microg kg(-1) to 9652 microg kg(-1) with an average value of 4694+/-3028 microg kg(-1). At the rural site average concentration of total PAHs was found to be 886+/-303 microg kg(-1). Carcinogenic potency of PAH load in traffic soil was nearly 21 times higher as compared to the rural soil. PAH pattern was dominated by five- and six-ring PAHs (contributing >50% to the total PAHs) at all the three traffic sites. On the other hand, rural soil showed a predominance of low molecular weight two- and three-ring PAHs (contributing >50% to the total PAHs). A lack of correlation was observed between total PAH and total organic carbon (TOC) content in traffic soils but in rural soil both were positively correlated (r=0.76). In rural soil naphthalene (r=0.88, P=<0.05) displayed strongest correlation with TOC. Indeno[123-cd]pyrene/benz[ghi]perylene (IP/BgP) ratio indicated that PAH load at the traffic sites is predominated by the gasoline-driven vehicles. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided the fingerprints of vehicular traffic emission and coal combustion in the study area.

Pattern, sources and toxic potential of PAHs in the agricultural soils of Delhi, India.

Surface soil (0-5 cm) from various agricultural sites in Delhi was analyzed to discern the contents of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Reference and deuterated standards were used for identification and quantification of PAHs by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. summation operator(16)PAHs ranged from 830 to 3880 microg kg(-1) (dry wt.) with an arithmetic mean of 1910+/-1020 microg kg(-1) summation operator(16)PAHs values at the urban sites were 2-5 times higher as compared to the rural sites. In general, low molecular weight PAHs were predominant. Total organic carbon (TOC) was found to be significantly correlated with summation operator(16)PAHs. Isomer pair ratios and Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested biomass and fossil fuel combustion as the main sources of PAHs. The toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were used to estimate benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent concentration (B[a]P(eq)). Therewith, PAH content of urban agricultural soil was found to have more carcinogenic potential.

Temporal variability of benzene concentration in the ambient air of Delhi: a comparative assessment of pre- and post-CNG periods.

CNG (compressed natural gas) was fully implemented in public transport system in Delhi in December 2002. The study assesses the benzene concentration trends at two busy traffic intersections and a background site in Delhi, India. Monitoring was done for two different time periods viz; in the year 2001-2002 (pre-CNG) and two winter months (January and February) of the year 2007 (post-CNG) to assess the impact of various policy measures adopted by the government of Delhi to improve the air quality in the city. Annual average benzene concentration for the pre-CNG period was found to be 86.47+/-53.24 microg m(-3). Average benzene concentrations for the winter months (January-February) of pre- and post-CNG periods were 116.32+/-51.65 microg m(-3) and 187.49+/-22.50 microg m(-3), respectively. Enhanced values could be solely attributed to the increase in the vehicular population from 3.5 million in the year 2001-2002 to approximately 5.1 millions in the year 2007.

Restoration of fecal continence after functional gluteoplasty: long-term results, technical refinements, and donor-site morbidity.

PURPOSE: For patients with severe fecal incontinence, reconstruction of the anal sphincter, via gluteoplasty, may improve quality of life, but little is known about long-term functional results. We present our comprehensive experience with gluteoplasty, highlighting technical refinements, donor-site morbidity, and functional outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 25 consecutive patients (22 female, 3 male; mean age 42 years, range 23-65) undergoing gluteoplasty for fecal incontinence at a university teaching hospital from 1996-2004. Etiology of incontinence was as follows: obstetrical injury (n = 13), irritable bowel syndrome (n = 3), previous rectal surgery (n = 3), Crohn disease (n = 3), impalement (n = 1), rectocele (n = 1), and idiopathic (n = 1). RESULTS: Gluteoplasty was successful in restoring fecal continence in 18 patients (72%) and was partially successful in 4 patients (16%). Two patients required permanent ostomy because of refractory incontinence. Donor-site morbidity and perirectal complications were observed in 16 patients (64%) and included dysthesias (n = 7), cellulitis (n = 5), irregular contour (n = 3), abscess (n = 2), seroma (n = 2), fistula (n = 1), but no hip dysfunction or altered gait. Mean length of follow-up was 20.6 months (range: 3-68 months). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high incidence of donor-site and perirectal complications, unilateral functional gluteoplasty was successful in restoring long-term fecal continence in most patients.

Speech benefits of posterior pharyngeal flap are preserved after surgical flap division for obstructive sleep apnea: experience with division of 12 flaps.

Attachment of a posterior pharyngeal flap is commonly performed for the surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Obstructive sleep apnea has been found to occur in as many as 38% of patients undergoing posterior pharyngeal flap attachment. Often, this is temporary in the early postoperative period. When it occurs later after surgery, however, it can require active treatment. Many patients improve with the use of nighttime nasal C-PAP. Those patients who do not improve sufficiently with nasal C-PAP may require surgical flap division. We report surgical flap division in 12 such patients. All patients had preoperative and postoperative perceptual speech evaluations, and most had preoperative and postoperative pressure flow studies. In 11 of the 12 patients who underwent surgical flap division, velopharyngeal function did not deteriorate. We hypothesized that the persistence of the speech improvement in those patients is either secondary to the bulk of tissue from the flap, which remains in the posterior pharyngeal wall and provides a pad to assist with velopharyngeal closure, or is secondary to the speech mechanisms that the patients learned with the flap in place and were able to continue even after flap division.