Occurrence and health risk assessment of mineral composition and aflatoxin M1 in cow milk samples from different areas of Sicily, Italy.

This study aimed to determine 16 mineral elements (Cd, Pb, As, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Se) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and a direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) for Hg evaluation. Aflatoxin M1 was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) in cow milk samples. This research considered 180 milk samples, 20 by province (Palermo, Catania, Messina), collected for a period of three years (2020-2022) to assess the potential risks for consumer, the safety status and nutritional quality related to mineral intake by consuming of milk. All samples showed a Pb concentration below the limit reported by European Regulation 915/2023. Cadmium and Hg concentrations were below the Limit Of Quantification (LOQ) in all samples analyzed. The milk samples analyzed proved to be a good source of Ca (up to 44.5 % of the dietary reference values), with well percentages also for Na (up to 7.6 %), K (up to 23.1 %) and Mg (up to 11.1 %). Regarding trace elements, the results reported that chromium requires attention; its value was always higher than 168.8 % in all samples analyzed. Levels of arsenic and lead were up to 20.2 % and up 7.1 % respectively. Aflatoxin M1 concentrations were below the limit of detection (< 0,009 mcg/kg) in all milk analyzed. Therefore, further studies are needed to safeguard consumer health, the quality of the product and to assess the state of animal health.

Seasonal Variations in the Trace Elements and Mineral Profiles of the Bivalve Species, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Chamelea gallina and Donax trunculus, and Human Health Risk Assessment.

This study aimed to provide data on selected toxic (Cd, Pb and Ni), essential (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) and microelement (Na, K, Ca and Mg) concentrations in edible tissues of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) and the wedge clam (Donax trunculus). Samples were collected from the Black Sea (Bulgaria) four times over, a period of one year (2022). In comparison with the maximum permissible levels set by the EU and USFDA, all elemental concentration found in the bivalve species were lower than the prescribed limits. An estimation of the dietary metal intake through calculation of the target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target risk (TR) was performed. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for individual metal and HI for combined metals were lower than 1, indicating no health risk for consumers due to the intake of either individual element or combined ones. The target risk value for toxic inorganic Pb and Cr was below 10-6, indicating no carcinogenic risk. According to these results, the consumption of these bivalve species is completely safe for human health.

Trace elements in Thunnus thynnus from Mediterranean Sea and benefit-risk assessment for consumers.

Trace elemental levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in muscle, eggs and sperm of 23 Thunnus thynnus fishes collected from May to August 2013 in the Mediterranean Sea. Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni and Se content was compared with Recommended Daily Allowances. Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were below the maximum limits fixed by the European Legislation. Tuna food safety was evaluated considering Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) or Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake for As, Hg, Cd and Pb. Only BMDL01 data for As and Pb were calculated as established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committed on Food Additives. The daily consumption of fresh tuna ensures a good intake of these elements. None of the tested samples surpassed the European maximum limits. Cd, Hg and Pb remained within safety margins, while As is slightly higher than the provisional TWI.

Levels of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene in smoked "Provola" cheese from Calabria (Italy).

Levels of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) in "Provola" cheese samples from Calabria, smoked naturally and using commercial smoke-flavouring, have been determined. A comparative study of BaP and BaA concentrations was carried out on rind, exterior zone, core and slice of these samples. Quantitative determination of BaP and BaA was ascertained by HPLC using fluorescence detection. Levels of BaP and BaA were found in all smoked "Provola" cheese samples, but higher in cheese smoked with natural methods (0.46-1.13 µg kg⁻¹ for BaP and 1.38-9.29 µg kg⁻¹ for BaA) compared to samples smoked using commercial flavouring (0.085-0.32 µg kg⁻¹ for BaP and 1.20-2.98 µg kg⁻¹ for BaA). The smoking process contributes to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination; however, for improved food safety, the use of commercial buffered smoke is preferable to traditional smoking procedures.