Quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Commonly Consumed Salami in Brazil

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds that have been found in different food categories, and meat products can have high concentrations of PAHs, since the technological processes to which they are subjected, such as smoking, can produce several compounds. Considering the risk that these compounds can bring to the population's health, it is essential to develop an accurate and reliable method to evaluate the contamination of PAHs in products of animal origin. The objective of this study was to optimize and validate a method for the quantification of 4 PAHs (benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene) in salami. The methodology included saponification, liquid­liquid extraction, solid-phase purification, and quantification by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of saponification parameters were investigated by experimental design, whereas the model obtained by regression analysis was considered satisfactory with the dissolution solvent of potassium hydroxide providing the highest global sum of areas. In validation, the parameters studied were adequate and within European and INMETRO Guidelines limits. The evaluation of 22 samples indicated that 27% were contaminated with at least one of the 4 PAHs, and benz[a]anthracene being the prevalent one with content varying between < 1.00 and 17.58 µg/kg. Two samples showed PAHs contamination above the maximum tolerable limit in the European Commission Regulation.

Hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos: uma revisão sobre metodologias de análise e níveis de contaminação em produtos cárneos defumados / Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review on the methodologies of the analysis and the levels of contamination in smoked meat products

A defumação é um processo rotineiramente empregado nos alimentos como técnica de conservação, e uma maneira de proporcionar as características sensoriais específicas. Entretanto, o processo pode levar à formação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs), que são compostos com dois ou mais anéis aromáticos condensados, alguns deles considerados carcinogênicos, mutagênicos e teratogênicos. Estudos em diversos países indicam que a contaminação de produtos cárneos defumados por diferentes HPAs é elevada e frequente, e desta maneira pode apresentar risco à saúde humana. O Brasil tem sido um dos maiores consumidores de carne no mundo, com tendência de aumentar o consumo de alimentos processados, e não é conhecida a real exposição da população aos HPAs pela ingestão de produtos cárneos defumados. Não há dados nacionais recentes quanto à contaminação destes alimentos com estes produtos. Considerando este panorama, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar a revisão das principais metodologias analíticas, dos aspectos regulatórios e dos níveis de HPAs detectados em produtos cárneos defumados. Ademais, são apresentadas as maneiras de reduzir a contaminação dos alimentos por estes compostos. (AU)

Smoking is a common process employed in food as a conservation technique, as well as to provide the specific sensory characteristics. However, the process can lead to the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are composed of two or more fused aromatic rings, and some of them are considered carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Studies conducted in several countries indicate that contamination of smoked meat products by different PAHs is high and frequent, and it may cause a risk to human health. Although Brazil has been one of the largest consumers of meat in the world, with a trend to increase the consumption of processed foods, it has not known the real population exposure to PAHs by consuming the smoked meat products. There is no recent national data on the contamination of these foods. Considering this scenario, this study aimed at reviewing the main analytical methodologies, the regulatory aspects and the levels of PAHs found in the smoked meat products. In addition, the forms to reduce the contamination by these compounds are presented. (AU)

Hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos: uma revisão sobre metodologias de análise e níveis de contaminação em produtos cárneos defumados / Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review on the methodologies of the analysis and the levels of contamination in smoked meat products

A defumação é um processo rotineiramente empregado nos alimentos como técnica de conservação, e uma maneira de proporcionar as características sensoriais específicas. Entretanto, o processo pode levar à formação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs), que são compostos com dois ou mais anéis aromáticos condensados, alguns deles considerados carcinogênicos, mutagênicos e teratogênicos. Estudos em diversos países indicam que a contaminação de produtos cárneos defumados por diferentes HPAs é elevada e frequente, e desta maneira pode apresentar risco à saúde humana. O Brasil tem sido um dos maiores consumidores de carne no mundo, com tendência de aumentar o consumo de alimentos processados, e não é conhecida a real exposição da população aos HPAs pela ingestão de produtos cárneos defumados. Não há dados nacionais recentes quanto à contaminação destes alimentos com estes produtos. Considerando este panorama, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar a revisão das principais metodologias analíticas, dos aspectos regulatórios e dos níveis de HPAs detectados em produtos cárneos defumados. Ademais, são apresentadas as maneiras de reduzir a contaminação dos alimentos por estes compostos.

Smoking is a common process employed in food as a conservation technique, as well as to provide the specific sensory characteristics. However, the process can lead to the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are composed of two or more fused aromatic rings, and some of them are considered carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Studies conducted in several countries indicate that contamination of smoked meat products by different PAHs is high and frequent, and it may cause a risk to human health. Although Brazil has been one of the largest consumers of meat in the world, with a trend to increase the consumption of processed foods, it has not known the real population exposure to PAHs by consuming the smoked meat products. There is no recent national data on the contamination of these foods. Considering this scenario, this study aimed at reviewing the main analytical methodologies, the regulatory aspects and the levels of PAHs found in the smoked meat products. In addition, the forms to reduce the contamination by these compounds are presented.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content and fatty acids profile in coconut, safflower, evening primrose and linseed oils.

This study aimed at evaluating the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination of commercial vegetable oils and examined the identity through the fatty acids profiles. Coconut, safflower, evening primrose, and linseed oils marketed in São Paulo (Brazil) were investigated totaling 69 samples. Four PAHs, benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), were detected in 96% of the samples at individual levels ranging from not detected to 14.99 µg kg-1. Chrysene was the abundant hydrocarbon found among all types of oils, with the highest median values. The results of the fatty acid profiles revealed that 43% showed different profiles according to the ones on their labels, with a higher incidence of adulteration of evening primrose oils. The maximum tolerable limits by European Regulation No. 835/2011 were exceeded for BaP in 12%, and for total 4 PAHs in 28%, with a greater contribution of adulterated samples.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content and fatty acids profile in coconut, safflower, evening primrose and linseed oils

This study aimed at evaluating the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination of commercial vegetable oils and examined the identity through the fatty acids profiles. Coconut, safflower, evening primrose, and linseed oils marketed in São Paulo (Brazil) were investigated totaling 69 samples. Four PAHs, benzo[a] anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), were detected in 96% of the samples at individual levels ranging from not detected to 14.99 µg kg−1. Chrysene was the abundant hydrocarbon found among all types of oils, with the highest median values. The results of the fatty acid profiles revealed that 43% showed different profiles according to the ones on their labels, with a higher incidence of adulteration of evening primrose oils. The maximum tolerable limits by European Regulation No. 835/2011 were exceeded for BaP in 12%, and for total 4 PAHs in 28%, with a greater contribution of adulterated samples

Occurrence of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour, instant noodle and biscuits commercialised in Brazil.

A total of 134 samples, consisting of 58 wheat flour, 40 instant noodle and 36 biscuits, were analysed for the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON). The samples were obtained from retail markets of the city of São Paulo during the period 2010-2014. DON was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and immunoaffinity sample clean-up. Method validation followed international guidelines. The LOD and LOQ were 60 and 200 µg kg-1, respectively, considering the three different types of samples analysed. The lowest recovery found in this study was 91.8% with RSD 4.5% for instant noodles. DON was detected in 91.4%, 97.5% and 97.2% of samples wheat flour, instant noodles and biscuits, respectively, resulting in a total of 94.8% with levels ranging from LOD to 1720.0 µg kg-1.

Occurrence of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour, instant noodle and biscuits commercialised in Brazil

A total of 134 samples, consisting of 58 wheat flour, 40 instant noodle and 36 biscuits, were analysed for the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON). The samples were obtained from retail markets of the city of São Paulo during the period 2010-2014. DON was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and immunoaffinity sample clean-up. Method validation followed international guidelines. The LOD and LOQ were 60 and 200 µg kg-1, respectively, considering the three different types of samples analysed. The lowest recovery found in this study was 91.8% with RSD 4.5% for instant noodles. DON was detected in 91.4%, 97.5% and 97.2% of samples wheat flour, instant noodles and biscuits, respectively, resulting in a total of 94.8% with levels ranging from LOD to 1720.0 µg kg-1.

Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in bovine milk samples consumed in different regions of Brazil / Ocorrência de aflatoxina M1 em amostras de leite bovinoconsumido em diferentes regiões do Brasil

Two hundred and fifty-seven samples of milk proceeding from different geographical regionsof Brazil were analyzed for determining the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). The AFM1extraction was carried out using immunoaffinity column, separated by reversed-phase (C-18) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and quantified by fluorescence detector.The Limits of Quantification (LOQ) were 0.008 µg/kg and 0.080 µg/kg to the fluid and the powder milk, respectively. AFM1 were detected in 209 (81.3 %) samples, being 26 (63.4 %), 105(84.0 %) and 78 (85.7 %) of pasteurized, UHT (Ultra-high Temperature) and powder milk,respectively. The highest concentration of AFM1 in powder milk was found in one sample from Minas Gerais (1.210 µg/kg). In UHT and pasteurized milk, the highest levels were detected inone sample from Sergipe (0.120 µg/kg) and one sample from Goiás (0.050 µg/kg), respectively.None of the samples analyzed in this study exceeded the Brazilian legal limits for AFM1.

Duzentas e cinquenta e sete amostras de leite provenientes das diferentes regiões geográficasdo Brasil foram analisadas para realizar a determinação de aflatoxina M1 (AFM1). As AFM1foram extraídas por meio de colunas de imunoafinidade, separadas por cromatografia líquidade alta eficiência em fase reversa (C-18) e quantificadas por detector de fluorescência (CLAE-FL).Os limites de quantificação (LQ) foram de 0,008 µg/kg e 0,080 µg/kg para o leite fluidoe em pó, respectivamente. AFM1 foi detectada em 209 (81,3 %) amostras, sendo 26 (63,4 %), 105(84,0 %) e 78 (85,7 %) para o leite pasteurizado, UHT (Ultra-high Temperature) e em pó,respectivamente. A maior concentração de AFM1 no leite em pó foi encontrada em umaamostra proveniente de Minas Gerais (1,210 µg/kg). No leite UHT e pasteurizado, os maioresníveis foram encontrados em uma amostra de Sergipe (0,120 µg/kg) e Goiás (0,050 µg/kg),respectivamente. Nenhuma amostra analisada ultrapassou os limites da legislação brasileira emvigor para AFM1.

Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in bovine milk samples consumed in different regions of Brazil / Ocorrência de aflatoxina M1 em amostras de leite bovino consumido em diferentes regiões do Brasil

Two hundred and fifty-seven samples of milk proceeding from different geographical regions of Brazil were analyzed for determining the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). The AFM1 extraction was carried out using immunoaffinity column, separated by reversed-phase (C-18) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and quantified by fluorescence detector. The Limits of Quantification (LOQ) were 0.008 µg/kg and 0.080 µg/kg to the fluid and the powder milk, respectively. AFM1 were detected in 209 (81.3 %) samples, being 26 (63.4 %), 105 (84.0 %) and 78 (85.7 %) of pasteurized, UHT (Ultra-high Temperature) and powder milk, respectively. The highest concentration of AFM1 in powder milk was found in one sample from Minas Gerais (1.210 µg/kg). In UHT and pasteurized milk, the highest levels were detected in one sample from Sergipe (0.120 µg/kg) and one sample from Goiás (0.050 µg/kg), respectively. None of the samples analyzed in this study exceeded the Brazilian legal limits for AFM1.

Duzentas e cinquenta e sete amostras de leite provenientes das diferentes regiões geográficas do Brasil foram analisadas para realizar a determinação de aflatoxina M1 (AFM1). As AFM1 foram extraídas por meio de colunas de imunoafinidade, separadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em fase reversa (C-18) e quantificadas por detector de fluorescência (CLAE-FL). Os limites de quantificação (LQ) foram de 0,008 µg/kg e 0,080 µg/kg para o leite fluido e em pó, respectivamente. AFM1 foi detectada em 209 (81,3 %) amostras, sendo 26 (63,4 %), 105 (84,0 %) e 78 (85,7 %) para o leite pasteurizado, UHT (Ultra-high Temperature) e em pó, respectivamente. A maior concentração de AFM1 no leite em pó foi encontrada em uma amostra proveniente de Minas Gerais (1,210 µg/kg). No leite UHT e pasteurizado, os maiores níveis foram encontrados em uma amostra de Sergipe (0,120 µg/kg) e Goiás (0,050 µg/kg), respectivamente. Nenhuma amostra analisada ultrapassou os limites da legislação brasileira em vigor para AFM1.

Genetic diversity of environmental Aspergillus flavus strains in the state of São Paulo, Brazil by random amplified polymorphic DNA

Aspergillus flavus is a very important toxigenic fungus that produces aflatoxins, a group of extremely toxic substances to man and animals. Toxigenic fungi can grow in feed crops, such as maize, peanuts, and soybeans, being thus of high concern for public health. There are toxigenic and non-toxigenic A. flavus variants, but the necessary conditions for expressing the toxigenic potential are not fully understood. Therefore, we have studied total-DNA polymorphism from toxigenic and non toxigenic A. flavus strains isolated from maize crops and soil at two geographic locations, 300 km apart, in the Southeast region of Brazil. Total DNA from each A. flavus isolate was extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification with five randomic primers through the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) technique. Phenetic and cladistic analyses of the data, based on bootstrap analyses, led us to conclude that RAPD was not suitable to discriminate toxigenic from non toxigenic strains. But the present results support the use of RAPD for strain characterization, especially for preliminary evaluation over extensive collections.

Ochratoxin A in raisins samples marketed in São Paulo, Brazil

The present study aimed to evaluate a methodology for analyzing ochratoxin A (OTA) in raisins samples marketed in São Paulo, Brazil. OTA was extracted with methanol: water (80:20, v/v) and diluted with phosphate buffer solution, and purified through an immunoaffinity column. OTA was separated and quantified using HPLC with fluorescence detection. The established detection and quantification limits were 0.24 and 0.80 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries values were 81.6, 80.4 and 81.9%, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) were 6.0, 4.3, and 6.1 % at 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 ng/g levels, respectively. Of twenty black raisin samples analyzed 10 (50 %) contained OTA at levels ranging from 1.3 to 39.1 ng/g. All of twenty-two white raisin samples showed no contamination with OTA.