Exposure to Toxic Metals and Health Risk Assessment through Ingestion of Canned Sardines Sold in Brazil.

The presence of heavy metals in the environment is increasing, which can be a danger to public health. Fish exposed to contaminated environments tend to have higher concentrations of some metals in their tissues. Monitoring these elements remains urgent as it is a matter of global concern. Canned sardines from the Brazilian market were analyzed for elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) of metals and metalloids, including some toxic, using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP OES) in two types of sardines (preserved in oil and tomato sauce) from five different brands. The results were compared to limit levels for consumption set by FAO/WHO. Moreover, we assessed the associated risk regarding the elemental intake of these elements through the samples, using the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR). All samples had unfavorable HQ and HI, primarily due to arsenic content. In the same manner, CR for arsenic was above the proposed limit of 10-4, and cadmium and chromium, which were within the acceptable limit (10-6 to 10-4), require attention. These results show that chronic consumption of canned sardines sold in Brazil is unsafe, and quality surveillance is needed to ensure there is no risk to the population that ingests these products.

Assessment of Trace Elements Supply in Canned Tuna Fish Commercialized for Human Consumption in Brazil.

This study evaluates the elemental content in 4 types of canned tuna fish groups, each with 4 brands that are commercialized for human consumption in Brazil. The results are based on trace elements in canned tuna fish quantified by ICP OES and a comparison to limit levels set by the FAO/WHO. We also checked the carcinogenic risk (CR), non-carcinogenic risk (Hazard Index (HI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ)), and pollution index (PI) for the studied canned tuna samples. As and Se concentrations in all groups are above the intake values set by FAO/WHO considering specific groups. The carcinogenic risk values for arsenic (As) in groups are considerably unacceptable (≥10-4). Hazard quotients (HQ) were >1 for As in all groups, while no sample was below 1 for HI. The pollution index (PI) results show that the main canned tuna fish contaminant is aluminum, then selenium and arsenic, respectively. Only half of the samples did not present elemental contaminant levels. All studied brands of canned tuna presented elemental concentrations that could pose a health risk to human consumption, that could be from CR, HQ, HI, or PI. The contaminant levels are alarming and should raise a red flag for the intake of these products, especially a long-term one. These results urge the authorities to supervise and enforce better practices for this type of food, protecting their population from health hazards.

Data on metals, nonmetal, and metalloid in the samples of the canned tuna and canned sardines sold in Brazil.

The safety of food is a matter of global concern today. Continuous monitoring of canned tuna and canned sardines quality is essential regarding metal, nonmetal, and metalloid content. In this article, we present the data on the elemental content obtained in canned tuna and canned sardines by using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP OES), as well as the data on Pollution Index (PI) and Health Risk Index (HRI). Pollution index and health risk index are tools used to assess elemental contamination in the environment and food. A total of 6 metals (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn), one nonmetal (Se), and one metalloid (As) were quantified in the samples of the canned tuna and canned sardines. For elements as Al, Cu, Fe, and Se, PI > 1. In addition, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb have PI values less than 1. The HRI values for some canned tuna samples were above 1 for elements such as Al, Ba, Ca, and As. For canned sardines, the elements Cr, Ni, and As showed HRI values >1.

Data on ICP OES and emulsion stability of Bredemeyera floribunda root extract: Medicinal plant used by the Brazilian rural population to treat snakebites.

Bredemeyera floribunda Willd (B. floribunda) is a medicinal plant used by the Brazilian rural population to treat snakebites, but there are no data on the elemental composition and stability of the emulsion of extract of this plant. In this article, we present for the first time data on contents obtained the roots of the medicinal plant B. floribunda by using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP OES), as well as the data on preliminary stability tests of emulsions formulated with aqueous extract of this plant. The first set of data shows a total of 13 elements (Al, Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Cu, Se and Zn) detected in the roots of the plant. The second set of data shows that the extract data of the B. floribunda roots presented an emulsifying potential. In addition, the article provides information on the heating program for microwave oven digestion and ICP OES operating conditions. The data presented make way for nutritional and toxicological studies involving the roots of B. floribunda. The data on the cataloging of the plant can be found in the deposit nº 54366 of the Herbarium of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, available in www.splink.org.br/form?lang=pt&collectioncode=CGMS.

Data on elemental composition of the medicinal plant Hymenaea martiana Hayne (Jatobá).

This data article provides elemental compositions profile, determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), of the medicinal plant Hymeneaea martiana Hayne which belongs of the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae).It is a tree that demonstrates medicinal purposes as antioxidant, immunomodulatory (Boniface et al., 2017) [1], microbial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective (Almeida et al., 2012) [2] and antifungal (Souza et al., 2010) [3].The content of 13 elements (Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S and Zn) in the barks, leaves, tea leaves and bark tea were detected. Data on the cataloging of the plant can be found in the deposit number 64779 of Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul herbarium, available in www.splink.org.br/form?lang=pt&collectioncode=CGMS.