Content of Toxic Elements (Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead) in Eggs from an Ethically Managed Laying Hen Farm.

Domestic chicken farming has been promoted and spread in several Italian municipalities and worldwide as an aid to the self-consumption of domestically produced food. This study investigated the levels of four toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in eggs from an ethical laying hen farm, comparing the element concentrations with those possibly present in supermarket eggs. A total of 201 eggs, 141 from the farm and produced by different hen genotypes, and 60 from the supermarket, were collected. The levels of the toxic elements were evaluated in the yolk, albumen, and eggshells of all eggs. The results show that the supermarket eggs' yolk and albumen were more contaminated with lead, compared to the rural eggs. Contrarily, the mean content of arsenic was higher in the albumen and eggshells of the rural eggs, compared to the supermarket eggs. The cadmium content was below the LOQ (0.005 mg/kg) in all samples. The mercury content was below or around the LOQ in all rural eggs. Overall, the supermarket egg albumens were significantly more contaminated than the rural ones. No significant differences were found in quality parameters for both types of eggs. The toxic element values that were detected were in line with other studies in the literature. However, despite the concentrations found not representing a risk to the consumers' health, the results of this study raise a potential food safety issue, and it would be desirable to set specific MRLs for eggs for consumers' protection.

LC-MS/MS Analysis of Five Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Sheep and Cow Milk Samples Collected in Jordan Valley.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the presence of five neonicotinoid pesticides, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam, in sheep and cow milk samples collected from animals bred in the Jordan Valley. In this area, numerous citrus plantations are present, and these insecticides are commonly used to protect plants from pests and diseases. Thirty-seven sheep milk samples and 31 cow milk samples were analysed. The analytical method, based on a single cleanup extraction step with SPE cartridges packed with diatomaceous earth material, together with analysis by LC-MS/MS, has guaranteed average recoveries between 75.1% and 88.3%, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.5 and 1 µg/kg, respectively, for all the five neonicotinoids. LOQ was much lower than the codex maximum residues limits for these pesticides in milks. No residues of the five neonicotinoids were found in any sample at a concentration level above LOD.

Biliary ochratoxin A as a biomarker of ochratoxin exposure in laying hens: An experimental study after administration of contaminated diets.

To evaluate the levels of ochratoxin (OTA) in kidney, liver and bile of laying hens, forty-five laying hens were enrolled in this study and divided into three equal groups: a control group D0, and two experimental groups, D1 fed with 10 µg/kg OTA diet and D2 fed with 200 µg/kg OTA diet for 6 weeks. Kidneys, livers, and bile from all hens were collected and analyzed by HPLC method for the presence of OTA. Eggs collected 2 days before the start of the experiment and 2 days after its end were also analyzed for the presence of OTA. Results show a relevant biliary excretion of the mycotoxin, with high levels of OTA in the bile after administration of the toxin. OTA level in eggs was below the limit of detection (LOD). These results suggest the suitability of using bile as a matrix for screening measurements of OTA in laying hens.