Chemical characterization of baby food consumed in Italy.

In this study, a total of 30 elements (essential and non-essential or toxic) were determined in 25 foods consumed in Italy by children aged 0-6 months and produced in Europe. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry were used as measurement techniques for the elements of interest. The estimated intakes for one-year-old infants were compared with risk estimators and nutritional requirements. Data indicate that commercially available baby food in Italy provides an excellent contribution for Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, K, and P, covering up to approximately 70% of the adequate intake (AI) for an infant aged 6-12 months. The intake of detectable toxic elements was always below the safety limit: even the most concentrated toxic elements never exceeded about 86% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI). This result indicates that the analyzed baby food is of good quality and does not pose risks to children's health.

Nrf2-Mediated Pathway Activated by Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae) Fruit Extract: Bioinformatics Analyses and Experimental Validation.

In our previous studies, Prunus spinosa fruit (PSF) ethanol extract was showed to exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities. In the present study, an integrated bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental validation was carried out to investigate the biological mechanism(s) that are responsible for the reported PSF beneficial effects as an antioxidant during a pro-inflammatory TLR4 insult. Bioinformatics analysis using miRNet 2.0 was carried out to address which biological process(es) the extract could be involved in. In addition, Chemprop was employed to identify the key targets of nuclear receptor (NR) signaling and stress response (SR) pathways potentially modulated. The miRNet analysis suggested that the PSF extract mostly activates the biological process of cellular senescence. The Chemprop analysis predicted three possible targets for nine phytochemicals found in the extract: (i) ARE signaling, (ii) mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and (iii) p53 SR pathways. The PSF extract antioxidant effect was also experimentally validated in vitro using the human monocyte U937 cell line. Our findings showed that Nrf2 is modulated by the extract with a consequent reduction of the oxidative stress level. This was confirmed by a strong decrease in the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) observed in the PSF-treated cells subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (6 h treatment, 1 µg/mL). No visible effects were observed on p53 and MMP modulation.

Could soluble minerals be hazardous to human health? Evidence from fibrous epsomite.

From a toxicological point of view, particulates and fibres with high solubility in water and/or in biological environments have not been considered in detail and the knowledge to date in this area is very scarce. In this study, the water-soluble natural epsomite fibres from Perticara Mine (Italy) were investigated using SEM-EDS, XRPD, ICP-AES and alpha spectrometry measurements which were combined and integrated to characterise the fibres' morphology, crystal chemistry and mineralogy. The morphological and morphometric results showed that most of the fibres are of inhalable size (Dae 5.09 µm) and can be potentially adsorbed from all parts of the respiratory tract. Chemical analysis reveals significant amounts of toxic elements (As, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, Ti, Zn) and surprisingly high contents of radioactive isotopes (210Po and 228Th) in epsomite crystals, making the inhalation of these fibres potentially hazardous to human health. Through this study, we want to focus on soluble minerals, such as epsomite, which can be present in both natural and anthropic environments and have never been considered from the point of view of their potential hazard.

Assessment of the release of metals from cigarette butts into the environment.

Cigarette butts are known to contain toxic metals which pose a potential threat to the environment and human health. The seriousness of this threat is largely determined by the leachability of these toxic metals when the butts are exposed to aqueous solutions in the environment. The aims of this study were to determine the presence and mobility of toxic and non-toxic elements found in discarded cigarette butts; to relate this mobility to two different contact situations with leaching liquids: tumbling and trampling (batch test) and percolation in a static position (column test); and finally, to verify possible variations in solubility by simulating different environmental systems. Five leachants with different pH values were used to simulate various environmental conditions The concentrations of the solubilized metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). CH3COOH pH 2.5 showed the greatest capacity to dissolve many elements. On the contrary, weakly acidic or alkaline environments did not favor the leachability of the elements. The best extraction capacity of the column with respect to the batch is statistically significant (p <0.05) for the elements Al, Fe, Ni and Zn, while the batch for P, Si, S. Pb, Cd, As were not detectable in cigarette butts, while Hg had an average concentration of 0.0502 µg/g. However, Hg was < LOD in all different leachants.

Bioaccessibility assessment of stable elements and 210Po in food.

Element bioaccessibility consists of the fraction of the element that is mobilized from food matrices into digestive extractants. The degree of bioaccessibility of a toxic metal is a fundamental consideration in estimating its bioavailability. In addition, gaining a better understanding of the essential elements released into the gastro intestinal fluids allows a more thorough assessment of the health benefits of food matrices in the field of nutrition science. In the present study, an in vitro digestion model simulating gastro-intestinal digestion (GID) was used to investigate the bioaccessibility of stable elements in mixed leaf salad and 210Po in various foods (meat, seafood, vegetables). The simulation was carried out over three phases: after a pre-treatment with a saliva solution, raw and cooked seafood samples were subjected to a complete simulated gastrointestinal digestion (gastric digestion followed by bile-pancreas digestion). The 210Po bioaccessibility was found to range from 16.2±9.39% to 62.8±17.7% and from 6.26±2.15% to 67.5±13.1% for raw and cooked food respectively. Moreover, bioaccessibility could not be determined for As, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Hg, La, Pb, Sb, Sn, Te, Th, Tl, Ti, U. It proved to be poor (1-16%) for Al, Fe and S; fair (40-50%) for Cu, P, and Si; and high (>50%) for Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Rb, Sr, Zn. The results show that bioaccessibility varies according to the chemical form of the element in the food as well as the matrix composition.

Assessment of radioactivity in Italian baby food.

A set of measurements have been conducted to determine the activity-level of natural and artificial radionuclides in some baby foods commercialized in Italy. The measurements have been carried out using liquid scintillation, gamma, alpha and mass spectrometry. The activity concentrations ranged from 0.005 to 0.238, from 0.0082 to 1.65, from 0.0003 to 0.015 and from <13.6 to 233.3 Bq kg-1 for 210Po, 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively, whereas they are below the detection limit for 137Cs and 226Ra. The annual effective dose due to intake of 210Po, 238U, 232Th and 40K ranged from 280 and 800 µSv y-1 for infant 1 year old. These values lie well within the typical worldwide range of dose due to the ingestion of all natural radiation reported by UNSCEAR and they are below the internationally recommended level. This indicates that the baby food available in Italy would not pose any significant radiological impact to infant.

Essential and toxic elements in honeys consumed in Italy.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in several types of honey purchased from the local consumer markets in Central Italy by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Lead and Cd were also determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with graphite tube atomization (AAS-GTA). The degree of humidity, sugar content, pH, free acidity, combined acidity (lactones) and total acidity were also measured. These elements were found to be present in honeys in various proportions depending upon (1) area foraged by bees, (2) flower type visited for the collection of nectar, and (3) quality of water in the vicinity of the hive. The honeys consumed in Italy were of good quality, but not completely free of heavy metal contamination. Compared with established recommended daily intakes, heavy metals or trace element concentrations in samples investigated, however, do not pose any serious concern to human health.

Toxic Elements in Human Saliva of Smokeless Tobacco Users.

The occurrence and mobility of different elements in oral smokeless tobacco products (STPs) were determined because the effects on human health must take into account their availability. In this research, the elemental analysis of 15 oral STPs of different brands purchased in local specialty stores in Europe, and the determination of % extraction of the different elements into an artificial salivary juice during the sucking or chewing operations were performed. In all samples analyzed, cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) (total) levels were <0.326 mg/kg. As far as non-essential or toxic elements, U was always <1.0 mg/kg, Th and Ti <0.1 mg/kg, Cd was <0.5. Pb was detectable in 60% of the samples, As in 33.3% and Ce in 20% of the samples; La was <1 mg/kg in 13 samples; Sb was <5 mg/kg in all sample with exception of sample 13; Al, Ni, Sr, Rb, Ba, Sn, Te, Ti and Hg were detectable in all samples. Using artificial saliva, the data of extractable levels show that the toxic elements, although poorly extracted, are not totally retained within the STPs, with a consequent potential health hazard associated with oral use of these products.

Applicability of an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method to evaluation of toxic elements bioaccessibility from algae for human consumption.

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility of toxic elements, including aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in five commercial algae consumed by humans in Italy. The degree of bioaccessibility of these elements may have important implications for human health. Simulation of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) digestion was divided into three stages through use of synthetic saliva, gastric, and bile-pancreas solutions. After pre-treatment with a saliva solution, seaweed samples underwent one of the following treatments: (1) simulated gastric digestion only or (2) simulated complete GIT digestion (gastric digestion followed by bile-pancreas digestion). The bioaccessibility of these toxic elements ranged from approximately 5% to 73% and from 4% to 77% in gastric and GIT digestion, respectively. The bioaccessibility of Al and Pb is poor (5-15%), As and Ni were fairly (40-55%), while Cd displayed a high bioaccessibility. No significant differences in toxic elements mobility was found between samples that only underwent gastric digestion compared to those that underwent a complete GIT digestion.

Application of an in vitro digestion model for 210Po bioaccessibility assessment in seafood.

This study aims to investigate the bioaccessibility of 210Po in seafood and the impact of food preparation on this radionuclide. Polonium bioaccessibility is the fraction of 210Po mobilised from food matrices into digestive extractants when applying an in vitro digestion model. The degree of bioaccessibility of 210Po in food has important implications for estimating ingestion doses from this radionuclide. The simulation of gastrointestinal digestion was divided into three stages through the use of synthetic saliva, gastric and bile-pancreas solutions. Following pre-treatment with a saliva solution, raw and cooked seafood samples underwent one of the following treatments: (a) simulated gastric digestion only or (b) simulated complete gastrointestinal digestion (gastric digestion followed by bile-pancreas digestion). No significant difference (P > 0.05) in 210Po mobility was found between samples that underwent gastric digestion compared to those that only underwent gastro-intestinal digestion. However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) in 210Po bioaccessibility was found between raw and cooked seafood undergoing both gastric and gastro-intestinal digestion.

Radioactivity measurements and dosimetric evaluation in meat of wild birds.

The aim of this study was to determine the background activity concentration of natural radionuclides and 137Cesium (Cs) in meat of 14 migratory birds originating from central and northern Europe. This meat is largely consumed by the Italian population. 40K, 210Pb, and 137Cs were determined by gamma spectrometry and 210Po by alpha spectrometry. The mean 40K activity concentration detected was 490 ± 117 Bq/kgdw. In all the samples, 210Pb was below the limit of detection (LOD), and therefore it was not possible to calculate the ratio 210Po/210Pb. The 210Po activity concentration ranged between 0.11 ± 0.02 Bq/kgdw and 6.2 ± 0.93 Bq/kgdw with a mean value of 1.03 ± 1.75 Bq/kgdw. The 137Cs activity concentration was not detectable or near LOD except in two samples with 45 ± 0.7 Bq/kgdw (wood pigeon, from Italy) and 139.1 ± 1.9 Bq/kgdw (woodcock, from Sweden). The effective dose of 210Po ingested by consumption of wild birds meat accounts for only 0.01-0.6% of natural radiation exposure in Italy. These data indicate that the meat analyzed was safe.

210Polonium bioaccessibility assessment in algae for human consumption: An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method.

The occurrence and mobility of natural radioactive element as 210Polonium (210Po) in 13 commercial algae consumed in Italy by humans were determined because the effects on human health need to take into account the bioavailability of these elements. The simulation of gastrointestinal (GIT) digestion was divided into three stages and was accomplished using three different artificial solutions: saliva, gastric, and synthetic bile-pancreas solution. The same sample was treated in two different ways: a) only gastric digestion and b) complete GIT digestion (gastric digestion followed by bile-pancreas solution). The difference between Po gastric mobility with respect to that found for GIT digestion was not significant; in fact, Po mobility exhibited a mean value 17.2 ± 15.1% and 19.5 ± 11.5% for gastric and GIT digestion, respectively.

210Po in Human Saliva of Smokeless Tobacco Users.

The occurrence and mobility of Po in oral smokeless tobacco products (STPs) were determined because its effects on human health must be taken into account. This research was subdivided into two parts: determination by alpha spectrometry of the Po activity concentration in 16 oral smokeless tobacco products of different brands purchased in local specialty stores in Europe and evaluation of its percent extraction into an artificial salivary gland during sucking or chewing operations. Polonium-210 was detected in all samples, and its concentrations ranged from 3.46 to 14.8 Bq kg (mean value of 7.45 ± 3.82 Bq kg). The highest concentration was found in chewing tobacco. The samples showed no significant difference in the content of Po level. The data obtained in this study show that the polonium, although poorly extracted (12.8 ± 8.96%) by artificial saliva, is not totally retained within the smokeless tobacco products, with a consequent potential health hazard associated with oral use of these products.

Essential and toxic elements in meat of wild birds.

Essential and toxic elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), mass spectrometry (MS), and atomic absorption (AS) in meat of 14 migratory birds originating from central and northern Europe to provide baseline data regarding game meat consumed in central Italy. In all samples analyzed, cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) (total) levels were <0.326 mg/kgww. For nonessential or toxic elements, arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), stannous (Sn), thallium (Tl), tellurium (Te), titanium (Ti), cerium (Ce), lantanium (La), and uranium (U) concentrations were <0.326 mg/kgww, thorium (Th) <1.63 mg/kgww, and mercury (Hg) <0.0163 mg/kgww. When detectable, lead (Pb) concentrations always exceeded maximal admissible levels for metal (0.1 mg/kg ww) established by the European Commission for meat. These findings indicate that elevated Pb concentrations in game ingested by humans may be a cause for concern.

Radiochemical Characterization of Algae Products Commercialized for Human Consumption.

Natural radionuclides and Cs were determined by alpha (U, U, Th,Po,Th, and Th) and gamma spectrometry (Cs, K, Ra, Pb, and Ra via Ac) in 14 dried seaweeds commercialized for human nutrition in Italy. The study was carried out in order to provide information on the concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides. Cesium-137 (Cs) concentrations in all analyzed samples were always <2.0 Bq kg (dry weight), while the naturally occurring radionuclide concentrations were detectable in all the samples and significantly different in the analyzed seaweeds. Potassium-40 (K) showed a mean activity of 894 Bq kg with a range of 14.1-3,256 Bq kg. The mean of activity for Po was 5.1 Bq kg with a range of 1.5-13.6 Bq kg. The mean of activity for Pb was 8.9 Bq kg with a range of 2.9-25.7 Bq kg. The mean of U and Ra activity concentration was 4.7 and 8.4 Bq kg with a range of 0.1-27.7 and 3.2-24.6 Bq kg, respectively. The mean activity concentrations for Th, Th, and Ra were 0.69, 3.0, and 6.6 Bq kg with ranges of 0.05-3.39, 0.24-15.7, and 0.5-35.6 Bq kg, respectively. Radionuclide activity concentrations were within ranges reported in the scientific literature. The committed effective dose due to all the radionuclides analyzed, from ingestion of 1 kg y of seaweeds, accounts for 0.66% of the natural radiation exposure in Italy.

Radioactivity in honey of the central Italy.

Natural radionuclides and (137)Cs in twenty seven honeys produced in a region of the Central Italy were determined by alpha ((235)U, (238)U, (210)Po, (232)Th and (228)Th) and gamma spectrometry ((137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra and (228)Ra). The study was carried out in order to estimate the background levels of natural ((40)K, (238)U and (232)Th and their progeny) and artificial radionuclides ((137)Cs) in various honey samples, as well as to compile a data base for radioactivity levels in that region. (40)K showed a mean activity of 28.1±23.0Bqkg(-1) with a range of 7.28-101Bqkg(-1). The mean of (210)Po activity resulted 0.40±0.46Bqkg(-1) with a range of 0.03-1.98Bqkg(-1). The mean of (238)U activity resulted 0.020±0.010Bqkg(-1). (226)Ra and (228)Ra resulted always <0.34 and <0.57Bqkg(-1) respectively, (235)U, (228)Th and (232)Th were always <0.007Bqkg(-1). (137)Cs resulted <0.10Bqkg(-1) in all samples. The committed effective doses due to (210)Po from ingestion of honey for infants, children and adults account for 0.002-5.13% of the natural radiation exposure in Italy. The honeys produced in Central Italy were of good quality in relation to the studied parameters, confirming the general image of a genuine and healthy food associated to this traditional products.

Essential and toxic elements in clays for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.

Essential and toxic elements (Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba, Cd, Ce, Nd, Pb, U, Th, and La) were determined by energy-dispersive polarized x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDPXRF) in 15 samples of clay materials for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. The investigated samples were grouped according to their mineralogical composition determined by x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Samples consisting of smectites showed the lowest content of K, Zn, La, Ce, Nd, Pb, Ti, and Th and highest quantity of Sr, Br, and U. The sample containing smectite and kaolinite displayed the lowest content of Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Sr and highest amount of Al, Si, Ba, Zn, As, La, Ce, Pb, and Th. Samples composed of illite demonstrated minimal amounts of Br and maximal content of K, Rb, Ti, and Fe. In all samples analyzed, Cd and Hg levels were below 2 mg/kg.

Assessment of ²¹°Po in Italian diet.

This research was dedicated to the study, in the Italian daily diet, of the background activity concentration of (210)Po, a radionuclide with a high radiotoxicity. (210)Po was determined by alpha spectrometry. For food products of vegetable origin, the (210)Po activity concentration follows the trend: leafy vegetable>flour>rice>fruits>pasta>other vegetables>fruit vegetable; for those of animal origin: eggs>cheese>milk. The (210)Po activity concentration was also compared with that found by the same authors in meat, sea food, water and beverages in a previous study. The committed effective doses to individuals of three population groups (infants, children and adults) were 379, 222 and 151 µSv y(-1), respectively. The intake of foods of marine origin contributed about 67% of the total dose due to (210)Po ingestion. The effective dose, from (210)Po ingested by total diet, accounts for only 5-12% of the natural radiation exposure in Italy.

Natural and artificial radioactivity determination of some medicinal plants.

Several medicinal plants used in Italy were analysed to determine natural and artificial radioactivity in those parts (leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, peduncles, flowers, barks, berries, thallus) used generally as remedies. The radionuclides were determined by alpha ((238)U, (210)Po) and gamma ((214)Pb-Bi, (210)Pb, (40)K and (137)Cs) spectrometry. (238)U ranged between <0.1 and 7.32 Bq kg(dry)(-1); (210)Po between <0.1 and 30.3 Bq kg(dry)(-1); (214)Pb-(214)Bi between <0.3 and 16.6 Bq kg(dry)(-1); (210)Pb between <3 and 58.3 Bq kg(dry)(-1); (40)K between 66.2 and 3582.0 Bq kg(dry)(-1); (137)Cs between <0.3 and 10.7 Bq kg(dry)(-1). The percentage of (210)Po extraction in infusion and decoction was also determined; the arithmetical mean value of percentage of (210)Po extraction resulted 20.7+/-7.5.

Natural radioactivity in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis derived from the central Adriatic Sea (Italy).

The aim of this study was to determine background levels of natural radionuclides such as uranium isotopes, (210)Pb, (210)Po, and (40)K in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, collected in the central Adriatic Sea along the Marche region as a mechanism to establish a biomonitoring model for human radiation exposure resulting from ingestion of this species. This mussel is an invasive warm-water species largely consumed by the local population and also exported to different countries. Among natural radionuclides, alpha emitters are considered responsible for a significant proportion of the radiation exposure of humans to background radiation, particularly through food consumption. The sampling was conducted in different seasons of the year in order to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of the natural radioactivity. Data was also compared to previous findings to corroborate our findings. The mean of activity concentration found was 2.34 +/- 0.61 and 149 +/- 58 Bq/kg dry for total uranium and (210)Po, respectively. In mussels the concentration trend of the studied radionuclides was (40)K > (210)Po >> (210)Pb > uranium isotopes. The mean individual dose due to ingestion of mussels for (210)Po was in the range 1.65 yen 10(-2) to 9.20 yen 10(-2) mSv yr(-1). The dose derived from uranium isotopes, (40)K, and (210)Pb was negligible. Data show that mussels may be considered a reliable species model for human biomonitoring for radiation exposure.